The Sector Skills Council for the places where we live and work
Careers Advice Line 0800 056 7160
Feb 2012
Luke Gilbert - FM Apprentice, the Petchey Academy, London
Luke Gilbert, 21, has been taking the facilities management apprenticeship for 18 months.
He started the programme when he was taken on as 'site operative' at one of the government's flagship academy schools, the Petchey Academy in Hackney, east London.
He'd previously been working as a full-time shelf-stacker in a supermarket and was offered the chance of management training. But he wanted a job with more variety and had heard about facilities management and its wide remit through a relative.
After finding out what was involved, Luke applied for a job vacancy as site operative, or facilities assistant, at the academy.
He was successful and started the level 3 facilities management apprenticeship straight away.
"My job was as a facilities assistant and this training has been a great chance of learning about all the different aspects involved in maintaining a building.
"Every day is different; I love this job and understanding all the hidden aspects of a building that work to keep it functioning efficiently. The time has gone so fast which is always a good sign that you're enjoying what you're doing.
"My role involves monitoring the energy readings; making sure batteries and appliances work; that things are getting fixed. We're in a school so the kids often break things like windows or doors.
"Since starting my job in FM, my aim has been to work my way up from the bottom so that one day I can be a facilities manager. I've got the experience in an education setting but I'd like to work as a facilities manager anywhere in the facilities world."
