NEWS & ANALYSIS FMJ.CO.UK
ASSOCIATION NEWS
STRATEGIC AND SUSTAINABLE FM AS A PROFESSION…
Across the world, students are taking to the
streets to voice their demands for action
to prevent climate change and tackle the
ongoing environmental crisis. In addition to
the demonstrations, there is statistical proof
that the next generation is passionate about
sustainability, with a recent survey finding 95
per cent of young people rate sustainability and
ethics as important or extremely important to
their career decisions. #myfutureplanet is our call
to arms to the next generation to help us build our
future planet today
The world of facilities management is dynamic
and evolving with rapid progress in technology,
social aspirations and our work environments, it’s
a profession increasingly seen at the very heart
of any business’ corporate real estate strategy,
that can innovate, influence social impact, and
deliver great value. It can make a di erence as a
profession that will transform our world and define
our future. For example, The Sustainability Facility
Professional (SFP) credential is essential for facility
managers and like-minded professionals with an
interest in sustainable practices. The credential
focuses on Strategy and alignment for sustainable
facility management; Managing sustainable
8 APRIL 2020
facilities; and Operating sustainable facilities.
Find out more and sign up at www.fm.training/
credentials/sfp
Training and qualifying as an FM professional
with the credentials, knowledge and tools needed
to deliver to consistent, recognised standards
worldwide will not only generate tangible benefits
to organisations, but will also help drive a labour
market for FM professionals by clearly articulating
to hiring managers the skills and knowledge
needed to e ectively execute the FM role.
People of all educational backgrounds, skills,
work experiences and career goals can access a
suite of qualifications which are recognised and
respected globally for entry into and advancement
within the FM profession.
You may already have relevant qualifications
that map to direct entry for an FM qualification.
The RICS Associate (AssocRICS) qualification
recognises the skills of individuals with relevant
work experience and vocational qualifications.
Direct entry routes via the RICS FM pathway are
available for those with specific BIFM or University
qualifications (e.g. in Facilities Management,
Facilities Services, or Integrated Maintenance
and Facilities Service) and relevant employment
experience. Alternatively, if you hold an approved
HND, HNC, NVQ3 OR another relevant Bachelor’s
degree, you may also be eligible for this entry
route. You would need to enrol with the RICS, show
evidence of your qualification and undertake an
online ethics module and test.
Facility management is ideally placed to drive
significant social value; the variety of roles allied
with the diversity of our people o er significant
employment, training and community engagement
opportunities that are unique to the FM sector.
Supporting employees, delivering excellence to
customers, and working with the communities
within which we operate are all key to successful
facility management.
For more information on RICS qualifications
in strategic FM visit https://www.rics.org/uk/
surveying-profession/join-rics/get-chartered-infm,
or for more on inspiring the next generation
visit https://www.rics.org/uk/surveyingprofession/
contribute/inspire-future-surveyors/
It does not feel like it, but
not very long ago children
were in school, grown-ups
were at work, and life carried
on as usual. Today we are
grappling with the unusual. The
switch to this new reality was
shockingly sudden for us all. Many are working
from home, some are out of work, and most are
dealing with added pressures.
In this new world, where we are all working
it out as we go, there are some massive calls to
make. The first duty of government is to protect
its citizens, to preserve life. That’s why we have
seen unprecedented state intervention in the last
week: the economy all but shut down, freedom
of movement given a whole new meaning, and
business support on a scale never seen before. And
with that primary duty in mind, a balance needs
to be struck between preserving public health and
keeping the essentials of our country running and
ready for when we switch back on.
On the frontline
Some work simply cannot be confined to a
back-bedroom o ice. It must continue on-site
and at full tilt by key workers rightly identified by
the Government as vital to our national e ort to
overcome this pandemic. In one form or another,
these professions are literally making the di erence
when it comes to survival in these extraordinary
circumstances.
At a time when the greatest priority is public
health, when the vulnerable are at such grave
risk, some key workers are rightly in the spotlight.
This includes the wonderful people working in
the NHS, presently racing flat out to avoid being
overwhelmed as the virus spreads and, crucially,
depending on our compliance, fighting to flatten
the curve.
Forgotten key workers
But there are key workers who haven’t yet been
recognised; those who keep these buildings clean,
safe and operational for users; crucial practitioners
who enable the health professionals, and others
beyond that designation, to optimise their
e ectiveness: workplace and facilities management
professionals.
Our profession will be key critical in the weeks
and months ahead as the UK battles the pandemic,
eventually returns and re-adjusts to what was
business as usual, and then pushes on to regain its
economic vigour.
Taking action
On 24 March, I wrote to the Secretaries of State for
Housing, Communities and Local Government and
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, calling for
workplace and facilities management professionals,
and core contractors, to be recognised as key
workers.
We amplified our voice in a joint submission to
Government with the Association of Residential
Managing Agents, the British Property Federation,
College and University Business O icers, the
Institute of Residential Property Management, the
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and the
UK Apartment Association.
This is not special pleading but a call to recognise
those of our members who provide key facilities
and safety critical services to buildings, so that they
may play their part in the national e ort without
fear of reprisal or shame. I hope we will make
progress, but if we haven’t, we will keep arguing
our case.
Stay informed
In the meantime, we continue to support the
profession in this time of crisis. Our coronavirus
web page hosts information, advice and resources
for facilities
professionals. You
can find it at
www.iwfm.org.uk/
coronavirus.
FMS, YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU
IWFM CEO, Linda Hausmanis
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