by Brianna Crandall — February 18, 2019 — The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) is unveiling a new enhancement for its world-class suite of FM credentials and certifications with the introduction of digital badges. The rollout of these web-enabled, shareable and verifiable versions of professional development accomplishments begins with the Certified Facility Manager (CFM) and Retired CFM (RCFM) credentials. IFMA has partnered with Credly, a top digital badging company, to provide this service through its Acclaim platform.
The web-enabled, shareable digital badges verifying professional development accomplishments begin with the Certified Facility Manager (CFM) and Retired CFM (RCFM) credentials. Image courtesy IFMA
IFMA Chief Operating Officer (COO) Don Gilpin stated:
For decades, IFMA has set the bar for FM professional development products and services, from our groundbreaking global job task analysis to the industry-leading suite of credentials and certifications. Today, we are introducing the next frontier of professional development innovation that will make it easier than ever to reap the benefits of the hard work and dedication that go into earning an IFMA credential. Starting now, it will be easier than ever for FM professionals to demonstrate their value and for employers to recognize their knowledge and skills.
This added benefit, provided at no additional cost to facilities professionals who have earned their CFM or RCFM, works by providing a graphic badge for use on social media, websites or email signature lines. The graphic links to a web page that not only verifies the authenticity and date of the accomplishment, but details the knowledge, skills and requirements behind it.
Jonathan Finkelstein, founder and CEO of Credly, remarked:
Certifications help both professionals and employers assign value to knowledge and skills. By issuing its certifications as digital credentials through Credly, IFMA is providing its members, employers and partner organizations with global verification and seamless validation of in-demand skills.
IFMA research has demonstrated a remarkable 15-to-1 return on investment (ROI) for FM professionals who earn an IFMA credential, and 70 percent of organizations rate IFMA-credentialed employees as having statistically significantly higher performance. The average measured increase in performance for FM professionals with an IFMA credential is reportedly 40 percent.
IFMA is rolling out its badging program throughout early 2019, beginning with FM professionals who have earned the CFM, a respected global certification for facilities management. As the most prestigious credential offered by IFMA, the CFM covers the full scope of FM competencies as identified by the global job task analysis, which shapes the educational landscape that informs all of IFMA’s educational products.
IFMA will release additional badges in coming months. This includes badges for IFMA’s globally recognized FMP (Facility Management Professional) designation, a knowledge-based credential for FM professionals, and the SFP (Sustainability Facility Professional) designation, an assessment-based program delivering a specialty credential in managing sustainable facilities.
To learn more about IFMA credentials, visit the organization’s fm.training web page.
