What can a career in workplace and facilities management look like?
We believe workplace and facilities management (WFM) is one of the most exciting and diverse professions you can pursue. A typical day can involve driving positive environmental change through effective organisational sustainability, to optimising space and building requirements, to directly enhancing people's wellbeing and safety. By utilising the latest technology, insights, and future work practices, WFM professionals take on a variety of influential responsibilities in their roles.
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Workplace and facilities management professionals play a unique role in organisations bringing together the needs of owners, occupiers and the supply chain. Consequently they interact with a wide array of people, including an organisation’s employees, contractors, members of the public and vendors. Professionals in the sector must be able to work in teams but can take the lead and solve problems as they emerge. In terms of the career ladder, workplace and facilities management professionals can start their career journey in entry-level positions and progress all the way up to the c-suite. Some professionals transition into the sector at a more senior level from a different field.
Qualifications, training, learning and development are often vital to professionals progressing in the sector. Benefits of working in the sector include competitive pay and benefits, flexible hours, opportunities to progress and more.
Ways people get into the profession
Workplace and facilities management is open to professionals from all walks of life. Senior and specialised roles often require specific qualifications, but many entry-level roles accept professionals with transferrable skills and experience.
For example, workplace and facilities management has become a career of choices for former and active servicepeople, professionals at the beginning of their career, professionals transitioning back into the workplace after break and young people.
Workplace and facilities management has direct links to a range of sectors, including but not limited to building design, construction and maintenance, grounds maintenance, security, cleaning and sanitation, energy management, industrial, retail, hospitality and catering, environmental services, events, office services and technology services.
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To enter workplace and facilities management, professionals often gain qualifications and experience through a college or university, including level 2 to 7 courses offered by IWFM and related degrees, such as engineering, building and construction.
Some professionals gain a postgraduate qualification, like a Master’s degree, to better develop their skills and progress in the sector. Additionally, there are several vocational qualifications available which can be used to gain an entry-level position in workplace and facilities management.
Workplace and facilities management places a strong emphasis on EDI, welcoming a diverse array of professionals and enabling them to make the most of their skills.How to move your career forward
To help professionals at your level develop, IWFM’s industry-recognised qualifications are available from Level 2 to Level 6, in different sizes: Award, Certificate, Diploma and Extended Diploma. Each course is built from a combination of mandatory and optional units, providing flexibility and choice, and can be customised by you and your organisation, to suit both individual and business needs.
IWFM’s Introduction to FM training course serves as a practical and actionable course for professionals to learn more about the sector, how they can develop and the opportunities that are available to drive positive organisational outcomes, like sustainability and productivity.
With IWFM, members receive access to regions and special interest groups (SIGs) and the variety of events they host throughout the year. Additionally, members can talk with our team, who are always on hand to talk you through your options for professional development. Additionally, gain exclusive discounts on all our training courses and connect with the IWFM community with our IWFM members-only Community groups forum.
Courses
IWFM training courses are an ideal way to build up your experience and enhance your employability. Choose from a range of topics at a level that suits you and access the resources through a new, easily navigable Learning Management System. We recommend the below courses as a starting point for WFM professionals at an early career stage, click below to find out more.
IWFM Mentoring is our free, one-to-one, personalised career support service which we provide as an inclusive benefit for members in professional grades and those with a complimentary one-year membership as part of their IWFM qualification.
Once you register as a mentee, we will pair you with a mentor who has the knowledge, experience, and skills to help you learn, shape your career, and grow into the professional you want to be.
Build your network by getting involved with your local Region, SIGs or working group that suit your professional interests. With 15 groups to choose from spread nationwide, choose from a range of groups from Education to Sustainability, Women in FM to the Veterans Network.
Rising FMs
Our committee are passionate about inspiring and motivating individuals to choose workplace and facilities management as their career of choice.
Women in FM
Our committee encourages inclusivity for all and focuses on continuing professional development within the profession.
Veterans in FM
We are a community of IWFM members who are passionate about providing a dedicated career route for service leavers, and fostering an armed forces family where veterans can come together, network, and support each other in developing their careers.
Catering and hospitality
We provide those working in, or that have a professional interest in, catering and hospitality with reliable sector insight.
Our facilities management jobs board is the online recruitment site for Facilitate, the UK's leading facilities management publication and the official magazine of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM). You can search vacancies for facilities professionals, including private sector facilities management roles and public sector facilities posts. Or view lists of vacancies matching popular searches, such as jobs for facilities managers and directors, contract managers and operations managers. Click here to view our latest jobs.
Why you should belong to professional body
One of the crucial ways a workplace and facilities management professional develops their skills and experience is by joining a professional body, gaining access to best practice, educational resources, networking and professional development opportunities. A professional body like IWFM allows professionals to stay aware of industry developments and acquire new skills to enhance their professional effectiveness.
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By networking with other professionals, it’s possible to share valuable insights into the industry, build relationships and create a positive reputation, all of which are invaluable when looking for new opportunities or when seeking advice and guidance from experienced professionals.
In addition to professional development and networking opportunities, professional bodies like IWFM offer discounts on products and services, access to industry publications and other types of content, ranging from exclusive research to webinars and industry events. By utilising these benefits, professionals can remain competitive and desirable in the industry, and ensure their career progression is on track.Other resources
IWFM is proud to represent a diverse group of global professionals, with each professional having different motivations, responsibilities, goals and more. However, IWFM provides the resources and insight that enable professionals to maximise their potential and benefit their organisation. Discover some of our wide array of resources including:
Webinars
Navigating turbulent times webinar series
How IWFM’s EDI boost can enhance the WFM profession
Episode 103 of our Navigating Turbulent Times webinar series.
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Optimise building performance, reduce energy consumption and ensure compliance, in partnership with Carbon Numbers
Episode 102 of our Navigating Turbulent Times webinar series.
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Sustainability survey report 2023 findings
This webinar provides an overview of our Sustainability Survey Report 2023, which focu...
Facilitate magazine
Facilitate - Disruptive influences
Welcome to the March/April 2024 digital edition of Facilitate, which can be viewed onl...
Facilitate - Reassembly instructions
Welcome to the January/February 2024 digital edition of Facilitate, which can be viewe...
Facilitate - A portrait of progress
Welcome to the November/December 2023 digital edition of Facilitate, which can be view...
Guidance
An introduction to smart buildings
As technology now enters the fourth industrial revolution, the intelligent use of data...
Career of Choice guidance for students
Look at the skyline of your local town or city. Think about all the different building...
An introduction to workplace
In FM, as in other professions, there are certain terms that are aren’t commonly used ...
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