As you may be aware, the role of the facilities or building manager has evolved immeasurably in recent years. This continued evolution of industry highlights the increasing need of tertiary training for practising facilities and building managers.
What are the advantages of Tertiary qualifications?
There is certainly credibility to the sentiment that experience cannot be circumvented; however with the maturity of the facilities management industry sector comes a real opportunity for candidates to gain invaluable exposure to the most current methodology and practising frameworks through formal training and education.
In addition to ensuring your asset is managed in accordance with the most effective methodology and operating techniques, it is imperative to ensure your asset or business is equipped in these areas.
What qualifications are necessary to ensure the highest calibre of candidate for my business/asset?
While there is no one specific qualification that will ensure your management is at the forefront of industry practices, there are a range of formal training options available to candidates in order to ensure a professional approach to the facilities management discipline.
Traditionally the sector hosted a range of former tradesman filling these positions, however as the skill set required evolved in areas such as account keeping, financial management, IT, asset planning, risk management, security and emergency management; these particular candidates generally evidenced a skill set shortage in order to adequately complete the tasks required. This shift highlighted the necessity for additional education and training.
In addition to equipping candidates with skill set required, educational providers align themselves with peak industry bodies to ensure candidates are afforded the most current and conclusive information in industry.
What are the disciplines that a facilities or building manager may require formal education?
There are a myriad of correlated disciplines in the built environment that facilities or building managers need to a working understanding of to operate efficiently.
Examples of these are areas are:
– Facilities Management;
– Project Management;
– Occupational Health Safety and Environment;
– Environmental Sustainability;
– Engineering;
– Construction; &
– Valuation.
Further the accessibility to educational providers is now more than ever attainable with a multitude of courses and delivery methods available to managers at all levels of expertise and experience.
For those in the strata space or part of an executive committee, there is a legislative requirement pursuant to the strata Schemes Management Act (1996 – SECT 113) to ensure that you have engaged the services of a suitably and professionally qualified candidate.
STRATA SCHEMES MANAGEMENT ACT 1996 – SECT 13
2) An owner’s corporation must ensure that any person employed to assist it in the exercise of a function has the qualification required by this ACT for the exercise of that function.
With the ever increasing emphasis on ‘green’ initiatives or environmental sustainability in the built environment, it is now imperative for practitioners, building owners and managers to align operations with the most efficient and modern frameworks available.
We recommend that you enquire with your existing management to check the on the suitability of your existing candidate.
