2022 FM TRAINING OUTLOOK SURVEY KEY FINDING 4
IMPORTANCE OF FM CREDENTIALS & QUALIFICATIONS
More employers are looking at FM credentials and qualifications as differentiators when evaluating job candidates. More FM professionals are pursuing credentials, but financial support from employers is needed for widespread adoption.
SURVEY STATISTICS
Good training should lead to change, measured by improvements in efficiency or effectiveness. When training also results in a professional credential or qualification, the impact is amplified.
A badge or certificate from a recognized institution not only instills individual pride, it also serves as a mark of quality and commitment for clients and employers.
According to FM staff, the top benefits of FM training and credentials are increased confidence, credibility with employer/clients, preparation for career advancement, and better job performance.
Increased confidence
Credibility with employer/clients
Prepare for career advancement
Better job performance
FM Credentials & Qualifications Deliver a Competitive Advantage.
77% of FM managers say a credential or qualification is an influential factor in hiring or promoting FM staff.
Up 7% from 2021
32% of FM staff have earned an FM credential, making it a real differentiator among job candidates.
Up 52% from 2021
- FM Staff See Great Value in Earning a Credential or Qualification.
of FM staff would pursue an FM credential/qualification
if their employer supported them financially.
of FM staff are willing to invest their own money
in FM career development/training.
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