2023 FM TRAINING OUTLOOK SURVEY KEY FINDING 2
THE VALUE OF FM TRAINING
FM managers see improved job performance, confidence, credibility, and job satisfaction as a result of FM training, yet access to training dollars and resources is lagging behind the need.
SURVEY STATISTICS
The facility management industry is not alone in its staffing and retention challenges. Similarly, employers across most professions are experiencing a rapidly growing skills gap.
Upskilling or reskilling existing staff is the preferred solution to the skills gap as training increases job performance, satisfaction, and confidence resulting in improved retention rates.
Staff and Employers Identify an FM Skills Gap.
86% of FM managers say there’s a gap between the skills and knowledge their team has and what they need to excel.
78% of FM staff say they could use more FM knowledge, skills, or training to advance in their job or organization.
58% of of employers have a formal definition of the FM knowledge and skills required for their FM team or department.
Up 18% from 2022
More Facility Managers Are Recognizing the Benefits of Training.
of FM managers say FM training and credentials result in better job performance.
Up 9% from 2022
of FM managers say FM training and credentials result in increased confidence.
Up 12% from 2022
According to FM managers, the top benefits of FM training and credentials are:
Better job performance
Increased confidence
Increased credibility
Increased job satisfaction
Access to FM Training Lags Behind the Need.
of FM managers say they have been encouraged by
senior leadership to increase FM training for their staff.
of employers say they provide funding for staff to pursue external FM training or credentials/qualifications.
of employers are planning to implement FM training this year.
of FM professionals who have considered leaving a position say that development opportunities would influence them to stay.
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
All FM companies will need to either train or hire-in the skills required for the future requirements of a new look FM due to the rapid advancements in AI, robotics, and adaptive reuse together with the decline in office usage.
Anonymous Survey Participant
While 2023 presents a somewhat brighter picture of the work environment overall, we know the issue of retention and recruitment of FM professionals will be a pressing issue for the foreseeable future. Ensuring our existing workforce is highly skilled and credentialed will help offset the shortfall of professionals available in the external FM pipeline.
Stormy Friday, MPA, Hon. FMA, IFMA Fellow
President, The Friday Group
ProFMI Commission Chair
In order for the facility industry to evolve and successfully exhibit value, it is incumbent upon us, as its beloved practitioners, to continually advance our skill sets and employ new knowledge within our organization, collectively raising the bar. As the saying states, ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’; we must do our part to raise the tide.
John Rimer, CFM, ProFM
President, FM360 Consulting
The process of gaining a Facilities Management certification leads an individual to think differently about the job. Focus on the operation as a whole becomes important when people begin to understand how the business of Facilities Management can better support the goals and objectives of the company. This results in less unexpected downtime, better efficiency, and happier people that tend to stay longer because the business believes in and invests in them and their long term advancement and earning potential. This is a huge benefit to the company and the individual.
Steve Smith, CFM, CFMJ, MFE, DCEP, DCEP-IT
Director of Physical IT Network, Arvest Bank Operations
Few other industries (besides FM) require that their staff have such a broad range of skills, from boiler and chiller plant operations, to energy management, to customer relations, to budgets and contract administration. In this field, you can’t just be a jack-of-all-trades, you have to be a master of all.
Anonymous Survey Participant