Facilities Management Apprenticeship case study 

September 2010

Rob Wilson, Compass Group UK and Ireland

Rob Wilson is one of the first people in the UK to take the new Apprenticeship in Facilities Management, a programme developed jointly between Asset Skills, the Sector Skills Council for FM, trade bodies and FM employers.

Rob, who is 32, works as a facilities manager for Eurest Services, part of the Compass Group UK and Ireland. They piloted the level 3 apprenticeship programme with their training partner, the Training & Learning Company.

Rob's job involves looking after a range of "soft FM" services at the site of one of Compass's national clients. He had already been working there as the catering manager for several years. When the new FM apprenticeship was launched, he decided to broaden his skills and learn more about this area of management.

"The apprenticeship was just the right training programme to give me the necessary experience in my new field of FM," he says. "I'm confident the skills I've acquired will help me be successful in my newly expanded role."

Rob and a number of colleagues at Compass became the first apprentices to complete the qualification in August 2010. The candidates enjoyed the programme and found it focused and challenging. His new responsibilities now include reception, portering, grounds maintenance and cleaning.

"I have learned about the world of FM and how it works within my client's business. I have a much better understanding of how to deliver services and manage all the different aspects effectively and efficiently."

The level 3 programme gave Rob insight into the industry and the knowledge and skills to improve performance and help with career progression.

"We have been very pleased with the response to the apprenticeship and can see significant benefits to our business going forward," says Jane Leeming, Qualifications Manager, Compass Group UK and Ireland.

Compass has found the Facilities Management Apprenticeship to be a valuable development programme for its future FMs. Many of the first candidates are now moving on to take other accredited qualifications and internal management programmes.