BIFM and DWP announce facilities management partnership agreement

The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) is building on its recent track record of building new alliances with the announcement that it has signed a partnership agreement with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The partners claim the new agreement will see the BIFM and DWP working in unison to support future growth in the facilities and workplace management sector.  The agreement was signed at the end of last week by Mark Hoban MP, Minister of State for Employment, Gareth Tancred, CEO of BIFM and Martin Brown, Work Services Director for Wales and Employers, Department for Work and Pensions. The joint statement from the BIFM and DWP claims that the partnership agreement will drive ‘a shared agenda on increasing routes into and raising skills and professionalism of all those working in the facilities and workplace management industry’.

The Partnership Agreement will also see the organisations jointly:

• Developing a facilities and workplace management careers engagement programme to help individuals enter, re-enter or progress in the facilities and workplace management labour market.
• Sharing best practice across localities, aiming to increase investment and develop skills in driving growth through facilities and workplace management.
• Ensuring equality of access and opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds by establishing diversity at the heart of the facilities and workplace management industry.
• Utilising mechanisms such as the BIFM qualifications programme and supporting the development and delivery of an industry standard.
• Putting in place signposting arrangements so that businesses and individuals know how to access support on employment and skills.

Commenting on the Agreement, Mark Hoban, said: “The importance of the facilities management sector to our economy and jobs market, through the wide range of opportunities it offers to so many individuals to get into work and build their career prospects, is why BIFM is a key partner for us. We are looking forward to working together and building on the successes made to date, supporting young people, NEETs, and career switchers into new work opportunities.”

Gareth Tancred, CEO of BIFM, commented: “This Partnership Agreement is an integral aspect of BIFM’s strategy in developing a facilities and workplace management careers engagement programme, aimed at helping individuals enter, re-enter or progress in the sector. “Developing, attracting, and maintaining a highly-skilled workforce is essential to bridging the demographic ‘time bomb’ in FM. The Agreement is the first public step of many great initiatives we have been evolving for some time behind the scenes. This is an exciting time for the profession and the Institute, with more to follow.”

It has also been reported that the Partnership Agreement will be reviewed on an annual basis, to ensure that it continues to reflect the fast paced facilities management market and employment needs.

_________________________________________

Simon Heath, one of our regular contributors, will be casting his forensic gaze on this announcement later in the week.