Different routes into facilities management

---

 

Nov 2009

The NHS facilities manager who learnt on the job

Jason Thomas, 38, is the facilities manager at the Waltham Forest Primary Care NHS Trust.

He has worked in FM for seven years learning all his skills on the job. After university he worked on an Information Technology helpdesk but was made redundant. His next job was in Customer Services which led to his gradual move into an assistant facilities manager role.

He has since worked as facilities manager for the Department for Work and Pensions, the BBC, British Telecom, Wagamamas restaurants and Job Centre Plus.

"The work of a facilities manager is so varied," says Jason. "You are often in charge of the air conditioning, the reception desk, managing cleaning contractors, the electrics, security matters and the mail room as well as the catering and grounds maintenance. You need to be skilled in many different areas and it is a rewarding job."

Because facilities management is a relatively new industry, the formal qualifications route is only just beginning. Asset Skills has worked closely with employers to develop new routes in to FM including the new facilities management apprenticeship launched in 2009. It is hoped a range of new vocational training awards and qualifications will open up this sector to younger recruits.

 

The qualifications route and studying while in the workplace

Laura Wilson-Hutt, 31, is Assistant Facilities Manager at Bupa.

Her first job was in retail management. She was made redundant and took another job in catering management. She eventually moved in to an administrative role in the facilities division of Bupa.

She was seconded to the role of assistant FM to cover maternity leave and ended up staying when the person she was covering didn't return to the post.

Bupa is paying for Laura to study the British Institute of Facilities Management's (BIFM) FM Qualification. There are two parts to this award, which covers 20 key "competencies" including people skills, contracting relationships and finance.

Her current job is in the facilities office at Bupa's Salford Quays site, where 2,000 people are based. She ensures the smooth running of the car park, office moves, catering contracts, the gym and the reception among other things.

"I love this job as it is always different and the people are brilliant," says Laura. "Every day you are involved in different things. It could be the finances or dealing with electrics – you just can't predict what any day will be like – I get such a buzz from it."