A career in Facilities Management
What is facilities management?
Buildings where people live, work and play need to be comfortable, safe and fully operational. In short, these environments need to be managed and maintained effectively.
Sustainability is viewed as a corporate value all around the world. This is particularly true in the facilities sector. A sustainable building is an efficient resource for any company and a priority for a facilities manager.
A facilities manager is responsible for planning, designing and managing a building’s facilities and for co-ordinating the physical workplace for an organisation and its employees.
Facilities management can be described as a combination of several disciplines which maintain and balance the supply and demand of services, supplies, and equipment for organisations.
What does it mean to be a facilities manager?
Facilities management can be a great career path for those who like to make things happen, with multiple opportunities for career progression.
Job responsibilities can vary widely based on the discipline and department, but there will always be an overall goal which is to increase efficiency and reduce waste while keeping people safe.
A facilities manager is the ultimate organiser, making sure that a workplace meets the needs of employees by managing all of the required services. Responsibilities can include:
- building and grounds maintenance
- cleaning
- catering and vending
- health and safety
- procurement and contract management
- security
- space management
- utilities and communications infrastructure
Required skills can include:
- interpersonal, relationship-building and networking skills
- procurement and negotiation skills
- the ability to multi-task and prioritise workload
- time management skills
- project management skills
- research skills
- clear and concise writing skills
- team work skills
- IT skills
How to get started?
To pursue a career in facilities management, you can essentially come from any background. Portobello Institute offers a range of BIFM courses starting at entry level right through to senior level. The Level 3 course is aimed at those starting out on this career path through to progression up to Level 6 which is aimed at facilities managers employed at a senior strategic level.
For full details please contact Lynda O’Neill on 01 8920020 or [email protected]
Ref:Blog post - Portobelloinstitute.ie