Facility management is a profession that supports people by making sure that buildings are comfortable and safe places to live and work. It also makes sure that these buildings are sustainable, efficient, and have the necessary infrastructure. As defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and adopted by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), “Facility Management is an organizational function which integrates people, place and process within the built environment with the purpose of improving the quality of life of people and the productivity of the core business”
Due to continuous economic and regulatory changes, the facilities management industry is seeing significant growth. This presents opportunities for both experienced facility managers as well as those new to the field. After all, in a time when facilities management is more important than ever before, your company may be more willing to invest in your growth as an employee.
In this article we will talk about the 3 benefits of facility management courses. But before we go, if you are looking to start a new career in a different field or to advance your career in Facilities Management, we recommend that you check out a leading specialist school in Ireland – CMI. They offer Facilities Management courses for those with no prior experience, at beginner level 4 and for the more experienced FM professional, at levels 6 and 7.
More to the point, facility managers should advocate for continuing education opportunities through their companies. Not only will this improve their value as professionals, but it will also provide access to new opportunities and career paths.
Being a facility manager comes with plenty of advantages, the biggest ones being that you get to see first-hand where improvements can be made in the workplace. Here is a look at how helpful taking facilities management courses can be for fine-tuning work efficiency.
1. Determine Your Career Path
One of the biggest advantages of studying facility management is that it gives you the opportunity to explore different career paths. With so many options available, it can be hard to figure out which direction to take. But by taking a few courses, you can get a better idea of what’s out there and narrow down your choices. Some common career paths in facilities management include:
- Business continuity
- Transportation
- Hardware management and maintenance
- Facility cleaning
- Security services
- Space management and mitigation
- Fire safety
- Operations
- Environment, health and safety (EHS)
If you’re interested in a transportation career, it’s vastly different from an EHS one. The key is figuring out what fascinates you most. Taking a course is a good way to get a feel for your options while also working toward marketable skills.
2. Working Toward a Degree or Certification
You can also work toward a degree or certification in the meantime, which is perhaps the most marketable skill-set of all.
With the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimating a 7% growth in demand for facilities managers and administrative services managers by 2028–faster than average–there’s no better time to get your degree online. Many universities offer online courses as part of their degree and certificate programs, so take advantage of these opportunities!
Of course, nowadays the caveat is that organisations can’t simply promote an employee based on their long-time service anymore. Facilities management has become more nuanced, so you need a degree that verifies your competence for the role. A great way to start is by taking a course in something you’re passionate about!
3. Investing in Your Assets
If you want to make the best use of your facilities, you’ll need more than just an asset management system; you’ll need to be properly trained in how to use it. Having software and data is only part of the solution – knowing how to put it all together and make sense of it is what will help you really leverage your assets.
An investment in facility management courses is an investment in your business assets. You’ll gain the skills needed to improve your assets and help your business grow.
Therefore, facilities management courses are perfect for anyone who wants to improve their knowledge in specific areas. If there’s an area you’re struggling in, a few classes can help bring your skills up to the level they need to be.
