2022 FM TRAINING OUTLOOK SURVEY KEY FINDING 3
ADDRESSING THE FM SKILLS GAP
The most efficient way to deliver training is to understand what knowledge and skill gaps exist. Facility managers who have a clear picture of their existing skill sets are more in tune with where FM training is needed.
SURVEY STATISTICS
The responsibilities of facility managers have been growing and evolving rapidly. Based on a global study, ProFMI identified 24 cross-functional competencies and FM knowledge areas required of FMs today. Many of these skills can be developed over time with on-the-job experience, but as the need for job-ready FMs grows, time is a limiting factor.
Benchmarking existing knowledge and filling the gaps with training is an efficient path to a skilled workforce.
Identifying required FM skills is the first step.
49% of employers have a formal definition of the FM knowledge and skills required for their FM team or department.
55% of FM managers identified compliance & standards as a training priority for their staff.
36% of FM staff identified project management as a top training priority for themselves.
Training Priorities Vary for FM Managers and Staff.
Managers were asked to identify areas where their teams could benefit from training and areas where they themselves needed training. Staff were asked to identify their own training needs. Here are their top priorities:
Where FM Teams Need Training
(According to Managers)
- Compliance and standards
- Leadership skills
- Emergency management
- Project management
- Strategic planning/Communication
Where FM Staff Need Training
(Self-Identified)
- Project management
- Emergency management
- Capital planning
- Utility management
- Strategic planning
Where FM Managers Need Training
(Self-Identified)
- Compliance and standards
- Strategic planning
- Project management
- Capital planning
- Environmental health & safety
INDUSTRY REACTIONS
Join the conversation by reviewing some of the additional insights shared on this topic or by sharing your own.
What Industry Experts Are Saying
Other than rental costs, what’s typically your largest expenditure? Your PEOPLE. So it’s really not a question of can you afford to train and invest in your people, it’s can you afford not to?
John Hajduk, ProFM
Executive Director, Facilities Operations, Sodexo
We’ve officially entered the new frontier work environment and FM leaders face the challenge of finding and recruiting qualified staff. One solution is to assess the internal talent gaps and determine how to upskill and reskill their current staff. Developing FM staff knowledge, skills and abilities will elevate their job performance and contribute to the FM organization’s overall success.
Stormy Friday, MPA, Hon. FMA, IFMA Fellow
President, The Friday Group
ProFMI Commission Chair
As a government agency, we can’t compete with the money being offered to FMs in the private sector right now. We need to find people looking for the stability, hours, professional development, and retirement benefits we bring to the table. FM training and career development is something that can differentiate us as an employer.
Keith Tate, ProFM, AIA, CPM, LEED GA
Facilities Management Director, Polk County BoCC
If we train and support our people, they’ll be able to take care of our customers, and in turn our shareholders. By building capability first, you provide a foundation of confidence to grow in their role and in the organization.
Kurt Gnessin
Vice President, Facility Services, Extra Space Storage
Every facility manager has a unique job, a unique blend of skills and a broad set of experiences. Building a skills ecosystem is a collaborative effort and we must collectively come together as employers, educators and industry professionals to make an impact and prepare for the future. It’s vitally important that, as FMs, we understand that we can’t possibly be experts in all things facilities, rather we need to have a broad knowledge base, fortify our networks of experts, and speak the same language. We can lead this effort and prepare for the future by recognizing that industry-focused education can lead to better job performance and providing training that fills the skills gap. When we learn new things, there is a sense of achievement which drives ability and confidence to do things better.
Ericka A. Westgard, CFM, ProFM
Vice President of Operations, Southeast Region
C&W Services
My company is benefiting directly from my credential. I’ve enhanced my leadership skills and every day, I put into practice my knowledge of the five cross-functional competencies and four functional FM knowledge areas. In addition, a knowledgeable and educated workforce improves the company’s image and contributes to the company’s bottom line.
George Smith, ProFM
Cushman & Wakefield