Choosing a career path in facility management is most definitely not what you would choose to become while growing up if you were asked as you must have seen yourself as a doctor, lawyer, or even an accountant.
Nevertheless, facility management is a career path worth considering especially right now because it has a wide range of opportunities for everyone at every level across all sectors and business types. The pay is above average and quite competitive. Actually, the future is bright for you if you are choosing a career in facilities Management.
Another major reason you might want to consider choosing a career in facility management is the fact that there’s a rising need for professionals to handle work. If you’re considering a career in facilities management, Getting the scoop on this profession and understanding what makes it such a great option is worth looking into
In this article, you’ll discover the entire range of facilities management disciplines you can work in. But before we go into that let’s look at what facility management is.
What is facilities management?
According to the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), Facilities management is the “planning, organizing, directing and controlling people, machines, and materials to supply a service.”
The IFMA further defines facilities management as “a set of skills and knowledge used to manage buildings – from small offices to large factories – by considering the buildings’ structures, technical systems, physical security, and operations within an environment that encompasses social needs.”
The need for facility managers cannot be over-emphasized as many of today’s buildings would quickly fall into disrepair if not managed. Our environment inclusive both inside and outside would be unsafe, unsanitary, and uncomfortable.
Career path in facility management
Facilities management covers a wide range of service types. Facility management is a profession that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure functionality, comfort, safety, and efficiency of the built environment by combining people, processes, and technology.
Within each of the following professional career paths, you can choose to pursue either a hands-on or management career path.
The 8 major disciplines are summarized below:
- Janitorial and Landscaping
Janitorial and landscaping roles are vital for the aesthetic value of a facility or property. Every facility in every industry requires a staff or a number of staff to care for its physical cleanliness and appearance.
- Building Systems
This discipline includes keeping a close watch on routine inspections and performing prompt repairs or interfacing with a vendor to ensure the work is done. They care for all the behind-the-scenes systems including HVAC, utilities, and safety and security hardware.
- Daily Operations
Daily operations staff coordinates conference rooms, stocks office supplies, and works with departments such as IT to address problems.
- Environment, Health, and Safety
These team members ensure that facilities comply with regulations and promote healthy and safe work environments.
- Space Management
Managing a facility’s headcount and required office space is an important role for folks in this discipline.
- Transportation
In large organizations, it can be necessary for facilities managers to have a hand in planning and implementing transportation solutions. Vehicle maintenance to transportation encompasses a wide range of tasks for FM professionals.
- Building Security
Areas of service for professionals in this area include inspecting the alarm systems, door security, maintaining security camera operation, electronic key cards, and building cameras that must be repaired, maintained, and always active.
- Fire Prevention
This discipline involves all facets of a facility that relate to preventing fires. The people responsible for fire safety take care of evacuation plans, physical fire prevention equipment, and strategic plans against fire.
Thank you for reading through, we do hope you found this blog enlightening.