New year, better career: how IWFM can help you in 2024

News

Whether you’re new to workplace and facilities management (WFM), midway through your career or a senior leader, you’re working in a sector which has a direct impact on today’s biggest trends. Cutting global emissions, promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, influencing ways of working, harnessing digital innovation – these all play a part in your day-to-day activities and wider goals.  

WFM professionals often find that gaining qualifications opens doors: new opportunities, a broader network, industry recognition and, or course, better pay and perks. For more senior leaders, qualifications allow you to improve your grasp of industry developments, positively influence your teams and organisation and secure your career prospects in increasingly competitive conditions.  

IWFM qualifications are the gold standard in FM because they are aligned with the IWFM Professional Standards; these define facilities management competences at all levels and inform our world-leading professional development pathway, which also includes membership, training and CPD.  

Our comprehensive suite of qualifications provides a benchmark for the industry and caters for requirements right across the profession, from entry level (Level 2) through to Master’s degree (Level 7). Here’s how you can drive progress in your WFM career in 2024.  

New to the sector: 

• Pursue relevant qualifications and courses. In the competitive, rapidly changing world of work, professionals that embrace reskilling and upskilling gain the experience to progress. 

• Visit workshops and conferences. Discover fresh opportunities, learn more about WFM's developments, attend talks and expand your network at the year’s many industry events.  

• Find a mentor. WFM is full of seasoned professionals keen to pass on their insights, offer support and share advice with other, often more junior, members of the community.  

• Stand out at work. If you notice fixable issues, suggest solutions; ask for more projects and responsibilities; aim to display leadership. Proactivity will get you noticed by senior staff. 

Mid-level professional:  

• Affirm your career goals. Qualifications can help you work out your immediate needs, long-term vision and how they’re applicable to the sector’s developments.  

• Build your personal brand. In a busy and competitive sector, it pays to demonstrate your expertise, capability and unique value. 

• Enhance your people skills. Whether you’re managing others or speaking with senior teams, learning with a qualification helps you to better understand different contexts, perspectives and needs – useful to improving your communication in a professional setting.  

• Spread the word. At this stage, you understand the sector and will be an example of what an WFM career can entail. Consider mentoring junior professionals or advocating for WFM.  

Senior leader: 

• Boost organisational value. Clients and partners expect top performance from WFM professionals; upskill and reskill your teams to increase productivity and efficiency. 

• Improve workplace culture. Upskilling and reskilling are viewed positively by teams, showing that they can advance within an organisation and enhance their wider career prospects. 

• Drive recruitment and retention. Organisations which prioritise upskilling and reskilling will be more attractive to top talent across the board. 

• Encourage leadership. Offer your teams the skills and experience they need to seize the initiative, prevent issues occurring and better support colleagues. 

Get ready for 2024, discover our array of courses and qualification options here.