the professional knowledge and experience to undertake an FM role. I think that it makes me a substantially less risky hire than someone who is unqualified. What are your career ambitions? My plan is to go for a serious office manager role in a midsized office (approx 100 staff) and subsequently from that to a full building/facilities manager role and from that to a multi-site role as my career progresses. One of the things it is worth keeping in mind is that the BIFM qualifications are recognised internationally, so there is scope to use this anywhere in the
world, which has really opened up the opportunity for me to work abroad. How will you put what you’ve learned into practice? I have begun to put into practice what I have learned while doing the Diploma in a variety of ways, such as improving the measurement of our delivery of service through the identification of the correct metrics to let me set our KPIs. I’m looking forward to putting more into practice in the future and making a difference not only to people’s working environment, but also the company’s bottom line.
ANDI FORREST Works as: General manager at Bishop Auckland Hospital, County Durham, for ISS Facility Services Studied for: Level 5
What is your current role and what does it involve? We provide total FM across the hospital on site, from domestic services to estates, including hard and soft FM. What training have you undergone? I have done short courses on everything from health and safety, HR and procurement to residential courses on fire risk assessment. After completing an FdA in Facilities Services at Sheffield Hallam, I also went on to do BIFM Level 4 and 5 Diplomas in FM. What kind of training do you expect to undergo in the future, and why? I’ll do a BA (Hons) in FM at Hallam and I will also be doing my Level 6 BIFM course. It’s a one-year course for people who have completed the FdA and want to gain a degree. It looks at factors affecting FM, giving an understanding of how these issues can affect your organisation.
JAMES DUCATEL Works as: Space management co-ordinator Studied for: Level 4
What is your current role and what does it involve? I currently carry out office moves and various other facilities-related work. My job title is space management co-ordinator.
What kind of training do you expect to undergo in the future, and why? I would be interested in undertaking additional courses, however, all of the training that I undertaken has been self-funded.
What training have you undergone? I have completed the Level 4 BIFM Certificate and Diploma, I have also completed the IOSH managing safety.
What are your career ambitions? I hope that as a full BIFM member and with my experience I would be able to carry out the role of facilities manager.
What do you expect your recent training to do for your future career? I think it provides a more rounded appraisal of your role, offering different ways of thinking and teaching you how to adopt different strategies to problems you may face. I’ve learned how to reflect on things, taking time to look at what we’ve done from all angles with a view to improvement. What are your career ambitions? I want to progress to become either an account director or a divisional director and learning on these courses has given me the knowledge and the confidence to go forward. The hard work I’ve put in has been worth it. At the end of the BA and Level 6 I will probably have to move on, but I’m ready for that – things have all synced together. How will you put what you’ve learned into practice? By continuing to develop services delivery and customer relationships as far as possible. GUIDE TO CAREERS IN FM 2015 | 51
50-52 case studies.indd Sec1:51
29/10/2014 16:13