IWFM looks to inspire next generation on World FM Day
To mark World FM Day taking place on 15 May 2019, the IWFM has unveiled a schools project, which will see workplace and facilities management professionals delivering activity-based workshops in schools across the UK to inspire the next generation to consider a career within the sector.
The schools project is the pilot phase of an IWFM ‘career of choice’ campaign being developed with input from leading service providers to address the profession’s growing skills gap.
In future, the campaign will target different audience groups, including graduates in relatable disciplines and others such as military personnel, aiming to attract the brightest and best people into the industry. The aim is to establish a resource hub via the IWFM website accessible to anyone interested in pursuing a career in workplace and facilities management.
Created in partnership with student engagement consultancy Class of Your Own, the schools workshop programme was unveiled last week to a group of member volunteers, including IWFM Manager of the Year Laura Birnbaum.
Following a pilot workshop last week at Alder Grange High School, Rawtenstall in Lancashire, Mark Whittaker, IWFM North regional chair and Solutions Consultant for Thomson FM said: “The day proved a great success. The kids were brilliant and spent part of the day noting the aspects of facilities management delivery within the school to highlight areas of improvement. I believe it is crucial that as a profession we initiate the conversations with children about a career in FM at secondary school age. It was brilliant to be able to share details of some exciting UK and global projects, to hopefully ignite a passion to pursue a career in the profession.”
The scheme forms part of the IWFM’s ten-point plan announced at the Institute’s launch last November where CEO Linda Hausmanis vowed to help make a career in the profession one of choice not of chance.
The schools project is one of a number of initiatives the Institute is involved in to mark World FM Day.
On the week of the 13 May IWFM will release research and guidance on its website Insight and Research pages.
For further details on World FM Day 2019 please click here.
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