There is a general perception that pursuing a career in the FM industry requires a technical qualification. This is not entirely correct, as people with generic skills can also enter the facilities management domain. Besides, there are roles where technical qualifications are preferred but not always mandatory, such as Facilities Operations or Soft Services that include Cleaning, Security, Catering, Landscaping, Workplace & Space Planners.
However, in general, for any startup roles in non-technical FM domains, such as soft services, candidates with generic work experience profiles and specific personality traits are mostly preferred. In the case of many advanced-level jobs, such as asset management or building maintenance, priority is often given to individuals with technical credentials. Based on the role-centricity, such as CAFM, Building Services/MEP Engineers, Energy & Sustainability, Health, Safety & Compliance, Utilities, and Project Management, technical qualifications are indeed quite essential.
The moot point is that the FM industry offers a broad spectrum of employment opportunities for individuals with generic backgrounds. Many positions in FM typically require people management skills, relevant experience, and cross-domain knowledge. It is, therefore, indeed common in the FM industry to see professionals with generic backgrounds with thriving careers.
How often am I asked about the career prospects in the Facilities Management industry? My immediate response is that this is an emerging industry where the global FM market is projected to reach USD 1.9 trillion by 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing service sectors, with more than 25 million professionals employed worldwide. There are numerous opportunities available for all, but particularly for individuals with diverse backgrounds.
Individuals with generic work experience and basic qualifications can easily kickstart a career. They can rise to promising roles provided they adapt to the fundamental traits of the FM domain.
For individuals from non-technical or general backgrounds, Facilities Management offers a diverse and rewarding career path. Herein, technical expertise can be developed gradually through on-the-job and continuous learning. However, success in FM often depends more on core behavioural, managerial, and adaptive traits, such as People and Relationship Skills, Problem-Solving & Adaptability, Operational & Organizational Competence, Commercial & Strategic Awareness, Digital Mindset, Ethics, Safety, and Compliance Centricity. In the context of Facilities Management, these traits, combined with strong leadership skills, are crucial for effective contract and people management. These skills are essential for achieving FM goals.
While the aforementioned soft skills are quintessential for roles in FM, domain knowledge is equally vital. Except for advanced executive or specialist positions that require domain knowledge, individuals without prior experience can still enter the industry through a range of non-executive roles. These include housekeeping supervisors, helpdesk agents, storekeepers, transport coordinators, or administrative assistants. Individuals with a generic background can foray into FM through various roles. With a structured induction supported by on-the-job and self-directed learning, new entrants can transition smoothly into their roles.
Nevertheless, continuous learning and mentoring, an inherent requirement of the industry, can also prepare them for advanced roles, including developing basic technical competence. This is where continuous exposure, combined with regular training, can lead to promising careers. Interestingly, what is fundamentally required of these roles is discipline, reliability, and a willingness to learn, rather than specialized degrees.
In the case of technical support roles, basic MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) support can be adapted through practical learning and development (L&D) through various technical accreditations. For instance, as a banking professional with a liberal arts background, I quickly learned the technical aspects of FM through focused learning and a deep dive.
This is why FM offers attractive opportunities for individuals. People with generic prior work experience in administration, hospitality, aviation, retail, or logistics can easily transition into the FM industry. These backgrounds are beneficial as the sector values organizational skills, customer service, and coordination. Moreover, the FM domain facilitates on-the-job learning.
In the current industry landscape, with FM experiencing minimal margin challenges, organizations are seeking to build a resource pool based on generic skill sets to lower costs. As a result, businesses are employing individuals with basic skills and facilitating their progression and development through effective learning. This push is a crucial enabler in cost optimization and resource upskilling, especially considering the industry’s inherent feature of its upskilling needs and growth trajectory to hire new people. Career progression is a significant enabler in the industry. For example, the transition from a soft services supervisor to a facilities supervisor and eventually to a facilities manager can occur in 12 to 18 months, provided there is exposure and a consistent service history. In my own company, I have observed impressive annualized job progressions, particularly for individuals with generic backgrounds, exceeding 15%. The FM industry’s inherent propensity for progression also plays a role in mitigating margin pressures and promoting sector growth.
Additionally, multiple pathways are available for individuals to pursue specialized roles, including technical jobs. Short technical courses can lead to specialization in streams such as hospitality, energy management, HVAC, or occupational safety. There are also numerous opportunities in technology. Exposure to Computer-Aided Facilities Management (CAFM), IoT-based building systems, and innovative FM solutions is rapidly becoming central to the industry.
Notwithstanding the leadership opportunities the FM industry offers due to its workforce and process-centricity. Individuals with strong leadership and people management skills can advance to roles such as operations manager, contract manager, or general manager.
With a bright industry outlook for this high-demand sector, the FM industry is flourishing. Rapid infrastructure growth in the region and other emerging markets has created a shortage of FM talent. Additionally, the industry’s diversity, spanning hospitals, schools, corporate offices, retail, industrial plants, and entertainment venues, provides professionals with numerous avenues for future specialization.
Another key aspect of FM for those seeking opportunities is its resilient nature as a sunrise industry. It is recession-resistant, as buildings and assets require upkeep regardless of economic cycles. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the global FM sector still experienced significant growth, while many other industries contracted.
To upend career prospects and bolster technical credentials in the FM industry, individuals can undertake short certifications such as OSHA, NEBOSH, BICSc (cleaning), IWFM, FMP, or basic FM diplomas. Additionally, developing digital literacy by learning software such as Excel, CAFM basics, and helpdesk applications, along with essential soft skills like communication, customer service, and teamwork, is beneficial.
In conclusion, FM offers excellent career prospects for everyone, particularly those with generic work experience and basic qualifications. There are abundant opportunities for individuals to pursue facilities management careers that provide easy entry-level access, structured growth pathways, and long-term stability. With continuous upskilling and progression, individuals can move from support functions into supervisory, technical, or managerial roles within a few years.