by Rebecca Walker — November 1, 2010—Seeking a universal standard for its young members looking to enhance their careers, the International Facility Management Association has revamped its Facility Management Professional (FMP) credential, with a new emphasis on the business aspects of the profession.
Originally developed in 2004, the FMP is an assessment-based certificate program, the completion of which demonstrates a proven comprehension of the foundations of facility management. Currently, there are more than 1,800 FMPs throughout the world.
Facility management encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure the functionality of the built environment. Being proficient in this field requires individuals to have a broad range of knowledge and skills.
In 2009, IFMA conducted a global job task analysis to better define the knowledge and skill sets required of facility professionals. An international survey of the industry was taken, asking respondents in 63 countries for the key responsibilities and challenges that defined their profession.
The enhanced FMP credential is the result of this analysis. The designation is now comprised of 11 core competencies, up from the previous nine. The four courses making up the FMP program are also more robust, having been refocused by subject matter expert content providers.
The program now includes a Finance and Business Essentials course to help facility professionals embrace the business aspect of the profession, better connect with the C-suite and add value to their organizations.
The new FMP credential program features comprehensive training available in self-study or instructor-led classroom format. The FMP self-study program is available now, while classroom-based courses will begin in February 2011. Both learning methods feature interactive programming including print and online study tools to provide practical career training and consistent preparation and assessment.
For more information, see the IFMA Web site.
