Rajesh Pandit
Often forgotten, misconstrued or simply not acknowledged, Facilities Management (FM) is an industry that is required across multiple industries to enhance the quality of core business processes and increase their value. When everything is going okay, nobody remembers the efforts that go in to keep it running fine, however, one breakdown and everyone cribs about Facilities Management.
By definition, professional Facility Management (FM) as an inter-disciplinary business function has the objective to coordinate demand and supply of facilities and services within public and private organisations. Untill the early 1980s, it was truly a reactive service conducted by anyone and everyone.
However, since then the sector has come a long way and has emerged into a vibrant sector creating opportunities for those taking proactive steps to adapt to evolving customer needs. Responsibilities in the sector have increased, duties have expanded and the scope has broadened. Consequently, the level of outsourcing is increasing and clients have become more demanding and sophisticated in procuring FM services. Today, not only global companies but Indian companies as well equally understand the importance and advantages of outsourcing. The growth in real estate, preference towards safe, clean and secure environment and flourishing hospitality industry has raised the demand for facility management services in the country. The growth in this segment has been largely led by factors such as growth in demand from commercial sector with preference towards professionally managed services.
Why FM can offer a great career
Today Facilities Management holds strategic importance by applying expert knowledge, proven best practices and processes, best-in-class technology, procurement leverage and energy and sustainability initiatives, to enhance value, streamline operations, manage operational risk, and reduce operating expenses for its clients as a core business asset.
It offers development opportunities that use a person’s core strengths. FM is an excellent opportunity for young people to be paid and get trained on the job. It also offers a cost-effective resource for employers who would, in turn, invest in a new generation of facilities managers through a wave of apprenticeships.
It also offers many routes to fit a person’s skills set, whether this is in engineering, customer services, sales, team leadership, etc. For example, take someone who is interested in sales, they can work for an FM service provider in a highly competitive yet rewarding environment on multi-million contracts, with clear opportunities to progress into a senior team management position.
FM professionals have great prospects to drive their own job satisfaction and career paths to make their job enjoyable and rewarding. Whether it is gaining amazing experiences at the vibrant media organizations or a quirky tech company, or working in a local/EMEA/global role, FM is a fantastic career path for young people — if only they realised the opportunities that are available
Scope and choices
Facilities management represents a wide range of services for candidates to choose form.
The vast range of services include:
Burgeoning Demand
— The writer is Managing Director Global Workplace Solutions & Property Management, CBRE
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