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what type of education do you need in order to be a top professional facility maintenance
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Paul K’s Answer
Jose, i would challenge you to think beyond "education' and think of skills. I am CFM- the International Facilities Management Association is a educational and sounding board, standard setting body for the Facilities Management skillset. They have 3 levels of certification. The Sustainable Facilities Professional (SFP) The Facilities Management Professional FMP and the Ultimate called the Certified Facilities Manager. These are based on skill sets and the ability to do Facilities Management work and or experience in Facilities Management. You should look into the skills needed to take the tests for one of these certs. WWW.IFMA.org Most of my fellow Facilities Managers came up thru some sort of Trades or Building Management background. So let me tell you a brief career history..... I started fresh out of high school off to Columbus Ohio what is now a Devry School for Electrical Engineering. The math's killed me. i did well in anything dealing with theory or relatable info-- circuits, drafting, building circuits with my hands, etc. I did very poorly in math and that ultimately lead to me failing out. After 2 years there... i came home did some odd jobs and then an electrician asked me if i wanted to learnt he electrical trade. After 3 years of wiring houses, i went to work for the Federal Govt. I was an electrician there, worked up to small projects then was Deputy Chief of Facilities Engineering. The key to this story is i picked up skills, not a degree along the way. I have gone back to skill and have now earned my 4 year degree in Business Admin. It took me 38 years, but i did it. Some of the skills FM's need are 1 ) being teachable, 2) Understand at least one trade- electrical , mechanic, carpentry, welding, or other. Some FM's focus on space management, we have a gal at my work who does only this. She has an architecture background. 3) budgets-- you have to understand how to manage a budget 4) contract management--- trades/ unions etc-relationships 5) Communications- oral and written 6) some tech knowledge is useful-- knowing how IT works/ networks etc is a good thing. 7) Project Management.
Let me finish my story-- after 23 years in the Federal Govt i left and now work for Fannie Mae managing their only data center. I manage all of the facilities for the data center. I manage a staff of 16 contracted Sodexo staff of trades and managers. The latest push has been to employ Women in Facilities. Our last 2 VP's were women. Another skill is how to manage people-- my best advise there is to earn and keep someone you manage- their respect. Respect is earned not just given. There is positional respect, but the better respect is respect that is EARNED. You earn respect by understanding, listening, making good decisions, learn their business, never ask a subordinate something that you would NOT do your self. (I had to go inside a Sewage ejector and make a wiring connection once) Be in the trenches WITH your employees not on the top side looking down at them. Know their business better than they do. Be a Constant learner. Read trade papers, learn the enough of the things happening on the edges to be able to speak clearly to them. Set achievable goals, and achieve them. Treat the janitor with the same level of respect as you would the CEO. Back to Facilities-- there are other sources of good learning this career path: BOMI.org, The Uptime Institute Inc, focus on Data Centers ( there is HUGE need for good FMs in Data Center work) You also need to know the technology that drives FM-- that is a good CMMS- the software systems that run Facilities are called Computerized Maintenance Management Systems. These run equipment maintenance schedules, work and queues. A good one allows users to laid data and or pictures of their work back to the system. Oh and by the way, of our 6 Facilities Managers at Fannie Mae- only 2 of us have bachelors Degrees. The rest have skills and or experience. Take care. I hope this helped. George Mason University and I think Mississippi University offer secondary degrees 4 extra classes once you have a degree in engineering or the like programs to get a second degree in Facilities Management. If I can offer two key points of advice 1) Be a constant learner 2) have emotional intelligence -too many folks lose out right here 3) Respect is EARNED. I hope all of this was helpful.
Let me finish my story-- after 23 years in the Federal Govt i left and now work for Fannie Mae managing their only data center. I manage all of the facilities for the data center. I manage a staff of 16 contracted Sodexo staff of trades and managers. The latest push has been to employ Women in Facilities. Our last 2 VP's were women. Another skill is how to manage people-- my best advise there is to earn and keep someone you manage- their respect. Respect is earned not just given. There is positional respect, but the better respect is respect that is EARNED. You earn respect by understanding, listening, making good decisions, learn their business, never ask a subordinate something that you would NOT do your self. (I had to go inside a Sewage ejector and make a wiring connection once) Be in the trenches WITH your employees not on the top side looking down at them. Know their business better than they do. Be a Constant learner. Read trade papers, learn the enough of the things happening on the edges to be able to speak clearly to them. Set achievable goals, and achieve them. Treat the janitor with the same level of respect as you would the CEO. Back to Facilities-- there are other sources of good learning this career path: BOMI.org, The Uptime Institute Inc, focus on Data Centers ( there is HUGE need for good FMs in Data Center work) You also need to know the technology that drives FM-- that is a good CMMS- the software systems that run Facilities are called Computerized Maintenance Management Systems. These run equipment maintenance schedules, work and queues. A good one allows users to laid data and or pictures of their work back to the system. Oh and by the way, of our 6 Facilities Managers at Fannie Mae- only 2 of us have bachelors Degrees. The rest have skills and or experience. Take care. I hope this helped. George Mason University and I think Mississippi University offer secondary degrees 4 extra classes once you have a degree in engineering or the like programs to get a second degree in Facilities Management. If I can offer two key points of advice 1) Be a constant learner 2) have emotional intelligence -too many folks lose out right here 3) Respect is EARNED. I hope all of this was helpful.
Updated
Paula’s Answer
Facilities maintenance degree programs train individuals to oversee small and large plant maintenance, construction, repair, renovation, and redecorating projects. Facilities maintenance professionals often have varied degrees. Many individuals pursue degree programs in industrial or mechanical engineering technology, architecture, construction management, or facilities management. However, the most common degree program pursued is mechanical engineering technology.
Degree programs in facilities maintenance prepare professionals to handle day-to-day plant management operations for commercial office buildings, hospitals, apartment complexes, and schools. Facilities maintenance professionals may be required to do shift work or other odd hours as needed. Some professionals may rotate on-call duties to handle any mechanical problems that occur during non-working hours.
An associate's degree program for facility managers lays a solid foundation in basic plant management processes. It prepares students for entry-level positions. A bachelor's degree program advances these same principles with more comprehensive study of mechanical systems, engineering technology, and facilities management. Bachelor's degree programs in facilities maintenance groom professionals for senior-level directorial and management positions.
Program Levels in Facilities Maintenance: Associate's or bachelor's degree
Program Length: About two to four years
Prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent
Associate's Degree Programs
Associate's degree programs in facilities maintenance or mechanical engineering technology introduce basic drafting, engineering, and machine system processes. The coursework teaches students how to troubleshoot and repair various mechanical systems. Possible courses might include:
Fundamentals of electricity
Blueprint reading
HVAC systems
Computers in industry
DC and AC circuit analysis
Hydraulics
Bachelor's Degree Programs
Students in a bachelor's degree program for facilities maintenance professionals learn how to supervise grounds, maintenance and custodial staff, manage large budgets, and maintain well-groomed facilities. Many degree programs also emphasize energy-efficient mechanical systems that reduce waste and incorporate governmental and environmental compliance regulations. Students also take courses centered in finance, communication, and human resource management. Coursework might include:
Business law
Engineering technology
Information technology
Architecture
Property development
Space planning
Popular Career Options
Practical, hands-on experience is necessary when seeking employment, especially at the managerial level, and many facilities maintenance professionals work part-time in this industry while pursuing related degrees. Depending on level of education and experience, graduates of these programs may find work as:
Administrative services manager
Maintenance technicians
Maintenance supervisors
Quality maintenance technicians
Building and grounds directors
Plant managers
Employment Outlook and Salary Information
The general field of administrative services managers is projected to grow by 8% from 2014-2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage of administrative services managers, according to the BLS in 2015, was $86,110.
Continuing Education
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) offers professional certification for facilities maintenance professionals. This certification is voluntary but establishes professional credentials for those seeking employment.
Entry-level professionals may obtain the Facility Management Professional (FMP) designation. More experienced professionals with formal degrees may choose the Certified Facility Manager (CFM) certification. Professionals seeking FMP certifications complete IFMA's knowledge-based program, while those seeking CFM designation complete both educational requirements and competency-based examinations. Certified Facility Managers must re-certify every three years.
Facilities maintenance professionals may attend associate's or bachelor's degree programs to gain the skills and knowledge necessary.
Degree programs in facilities maintenance prepare professionals to handle day-to-day plant management operations for commercial office buildings, hospitals, apartment complexes, and schools. Facilities maintenance professionals may be required to do shift work or other odd hours as needed. Some professionals may rotate on-call duties to handle any mechanical problems that occur during non-working hours.
An associate's degree program for facility managers lays a solid foundation in basic plant management processes. It prepares students for entry-level positions. A bachelor's degree program advances these same principles with more comprehensive study of mechanical systems, engineering technology, and facilities management. Bachelor's degree programs in facilities maintenance groom professionals for senior-level directorial and management positions.
Program Levels in Facilities Maintenance: Associate's or bachelor's degree
Program Length: About two to four years
Prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent
Associate's Degree Programs
Associate's degree programs in facilities maintenance or mechanical engineering technology introduce basic drafting, engineering, and machine system processes. The coursework teaches students how to troubleshoot and repair various mechanical systems. Possible courses might include:
Fundamentals of electricity
Blueprint reading
HVAC systems
Computers in industry
DC and AC circuit analysis
Hydraulics
Bachelor's Degree Programs
Students in a bachelor's degree program for facilities maintenance professionals learn how to supervise grounds, maintenance and custodial staff, manage large budgets, and maintain well-groomed facilities. Many degree programs also emphasize energy-efficient mechanical systems that reduce waste and incorporate governmental and environmental compliance regulations. Students also take courses centered in finance, communication, and human resource management. Coursework might include:
Business law
Engineering technology
Information technology
Architecture
Property development
Space planning
Popular Career Options
Practical, hands-on experience is necessary when seeking employment, especially at the managerial level, and many facilities maintenance professionals work part-time in this industry while pursuing related degrees. Depending on level of education and experience, graduates of these programs may find work as:
Administrative services manager
Maintenance technicians
Maintenance supervisors
Quality maintenance technicians
Building and grounds directors
Plant managers
Employment Outlook and Salary Information
The general field of administrative services managers is projected to grow by 8% from 2014-2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage of administrative services managers, according to the BLS in 2015, was $86,110.
Continuing Education
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) offers professional certification for facilities maintenance professionals. This certification is voluntary but establishes professional credentials for those seeking employment.
Entry-level professionals may obtain the Facility Management Professional (FMP) designation. More experienced professionals with formal degrees may choose the Certified Facility Manager (CFM) certification. Professionals seeking FMP certifications complete IFMA's knowledge-based program, while those seeking CFM designation complete both educational requirements and competency-based examinations. Certified Facility Managers must re-certify every three years.
Facilities maintenance professionals may attend associate's or bachelor's degree programs to gain the skills and knowledge necessary.
Hi Paula. Did you get this from https://study.com/facilities_maintenance_training.html ? If so, it would be awesome if you could refer to it as the source and link to it and maybe put quotes around it. We want to properly credit the authors!
Jared Chung, Admin