L2B Blog: How to study to become a Facilities Manager? A look at internships and universities

 

If you are looking to study to become a Facilities Manager, then I imagine you already know what might be involved. If not, please see below:

 

What is a Facilities Manager?

A facilities manager is the ultimate organiser, making sure that a workplace meets the needs of employees by managing all of the required services.

 

A Facilities Manager will be responsible for the management of services and processes that support the core business of an organisation and ensures that an organisation has the most suitable working environment for its employees and their activities.

This is a diverse field with a range of responsibilities, which are dependent on the structure and size of the organisation.
Facilities managers are involved in both strategic planning and day-to-day operations, particularly in relation to buildings and premises. Likely areas of responsibility include:
• building and grounds maintenance;
• cleaning;
• catering and vending;
• health and safety;
• procurement and contract management;
• security;
• space management;
• utilities and communications infrastructure.
The duties will probably vary depending on the nature of the organisation, but will generally focus on using best business practice to improve efficiency, by reducing operating costs while increasing productivity. A facilities manager can be employed in all sectors and industries and the diversity of the work is reflected in the range of job titles, for example, operations, estates, technical services, asset or property manager.

 

Salary:

I’m sure the end result when deciding to study to become a Facilities Manager, is to be employed as such and have some idea of the competitiveness of the salary. Obviously, this would depend on your experience and the organisation you end up working for. According to Payscale Human Capital: “Facilities Manager Salary (South Africa): A Facilities Manager earns an average salary of R357,994 per year. Pay for this job rises steadily for more experienced workers, but goes down significantly for the few employees with more than 20 years’ experience. Most people with this job move on to other positions after 20 years in this career.” Let me reiterate, this a statistical average that takes all manner of different variables into account.

 

Vacancies:

The next question is, are there opportunities for Facilities Managers out there? When doing my research, I found any number of vacancies advertised on any number of advertising sites. The job descriptions varied from company to company, as would be expected. Duties ranged from budgeting and routine site inspections to managing staff and getting your hands dirty, with handyman skills and qualifications. The remuneration offered ranged from R16,000.00 a month to R30 000.00; often dependent on qualifications, experience and the extent of the duties required.

 

Learnerships:

It’s at this time of the year, that I see a lot more Learnerships and Bursaries being advertised in the media. However, when looking specifically for “Facilities Management”, I can’t say any jumped out at me. Due to the diverse and varied nature of the job, I can’t imagine it’s as clear-cut as some professions. Based on the variety of formal qualifications required/requested and the heavy lean on actual experience; Facilities Management definitely requires adaptability and a
diverse skill set.

 

Study Options:

I did find courses for Facilities Management offered by a variety of educational entities, namely:

The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers a Short Course in Facilities Management, through Getsmarter
Enterprises University of Pretoria (Pty) Ltd offers a Short Course in Facilities Management

CEA Career Excel Academy offers a Facilities Management Programme (FMP), a course held over three days

The Academy for Facilities Management (A4FM) is a specialist higher education institution that specialises in facilities management.

 

It goes without saying that when you decide to study, you ensure that you are studying with a reputable and qualified organisation.

The South African Facilities Management Association (SAFMA) recognises the need for training within the industry and offers endorsements for reputable training providers. Please see http://www.safma.co.za/Training

 

Facilities Management is as diverse and varied as the organisations that require it. And with the right qualification and experience, you can find the right fit.

 

Sources:
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/facilities-manager
http://www.payscale.com/research/ZA/Job=Facilities_Manager/Salary

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facility_management
http://www.safma.co.za/

 

About Claire Donaldson

I started working at Leads 2 Business in February 2005, and have served as Head of Department of Daily Tenders from 2007 until the present. I oversee both the Daily Tenders South Africa and Africa Departments.

L2B Blog: Job Profile: Facilities Manager

So you have decided to become a Facilities Manager….now how much should you be earning, and what skills would you need to become one?

I have done some extensive research and have sourced the following key information to help you on your way to becoming an amazing Facilities Manager. Just remember not to do it longer than 20 years!

How much can you expect to earn?

Facilities Managers should earn an average salary of R357 994.00 per annum. The salary for being a Facilities Manager rises steadily for more experienced workers but goes down significantly for the few employees with more than 20 years’ experience.

Most people with this type of employment go on to other positions after 20 years in this career.

 

Pay by Experience Level for Facilities Manager

Mid-Career (5-10 yrs)
R395,000

Pay by Experience for a Facilities Manager has a positive trend. An entry-level Facilities Manager with less than 5 years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of R287 000 based on 56 salaries provided by anonymous users. Average total compensation includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay. A Facilities Manager with mid-career experience which includes employees with 5 to 10 years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of R395 000 based on 70 salaries. An experienced Facilities Manager which includes employees with 10 to 20 years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of R479 000 based on 39 salaries. A Facilities Manager with late-career experience which includes employees with greater than 20 years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of R379 000 based on 12 salaries.

 

Pay Difference by Location

Pay Difference by Location
Pretoria
▲16%

Johannesburg
▲11%

Cape Town
▼-25%

National Average: R376 955

 

Oooookay…so now you have the pay scale figures running around in your mind…what kind of skills do you need to become a Facilities Manager, and of course, do you have some of them already?

 

Key skills for facilities managers

  • Communication and influencing skills, in person and in writing
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Decision-making
  • The ability to lead, manage teams and projects
  • Teamworking
  • Attention to detail but also the ability to see the implications for the bigger picture
  • Commercial awareness
  • Customer service
  • Organisation, time management, prioritizing and the ability to handle a complex, varied workload
  • A good knowledge of IT packages

 

If you have read the above and said yes, yes, tick tick, of course, I can influence people, etc, and you are thrilled with the potential salary you could get, sign up for a course in Facilities Management and qualify.

 

And don’t forget, should you be searching for any Facility Management Tender Leads, to contact me at MelanieM@L2B.co.za to subscribe and receive Daily Tender Leads directly to your inbox.

 

Sources:

https://www.payscale.com/research/ZA/Job=Facilities_Manager/Salary

https://www.payscale.com/research/ZA/Job=Facilities_Manager/Salary/ae63c3c3/Johannesburg

https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/279519-facilities-manager-job-description

About Melanie Miles

One girl who would rather wear boots than high heels...

Did you Know #DYK: What a Facilities Manager does and the Facility Manager’s responsibilities

posted in: Did You Know 0

 

Facility Manager
A Facility Manager is responsible for managing the building and making sure that it is managed and
maintained by the owners and their tenants. There are two types of Facility Manager: a Hard and soft
Management and in some instances the same manager can facilitate both jobs depending on the size of the
development

 

Hard Facility Manager is in charge of the planning and construction side of the building, this
generally includes everything to do with the construction of the building e.g building budgets, labour as
well as maintenance of the machinery that is used during the construction phase. The Hard Facilitates
manager also manages all the contractors making sure that they perform the duties that they have been
paid for. I would like to say that this type of manager is known in the industry as a “Project Manager”

 

A Soft Manager is also known as a Property Manager and is responsible for maintaining the already
constructed building on a day to day basis. This includes managing all cleaning and security contractors.
The responsibilities of a Property manager are as follows:

 

Security – Making sure that the security company that has been appointed is carrying out the service that
they are being paid for and the building is a safe environment for the staff and clients to make use of.

 

Cleaning – Making sure that building is cleaned and presentable at all times, this includes making
sure that hygiene contacts are in place and ablutions are clean.

 

Gardening – Making sure that the gardens are maintained and are kept neat and tidy, this creates an impression of the building and it’s value especially when looking to lease out offices.

 

Staff – If there are staff employed to clean the grounds and gardeners for the gardens, they would need to be managed and given daily tasks to perform.

 

Health and Safety – Making sure that any contractors working on site follow proper Health and Safety procedures. This also includes making sure that all fire equipment is regularly serviced.

 

Sources:

Facilities Manager image

https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-a-property-manager-2124842

 

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About Cindy Hartley

My name is Cindy Hartley I have been working directly for Victor Terblanche managing his property portfolio since February 2017, I am very passionate about property and enjoy every aspect of property management.