i-FM: The online resource for facilities management professionals

We all like to celebrate a job well done, but when we look at the budgets we have to work with these days and the level of financial wizardry we’re expected to perform, how often can we toast success?

Amy Lyons looks at the emphasis on risk assessment in the new IET Code of Practice aimed at ensuring the safety of electrical equipment in the workplace.

David Lloyd Leisure has a commitment to reduce its CO2 output in 2014 by 20% from its 2010 baseline. Lighting is a key target.

Peter Forshaw explores the case for training and qualifications in the context of job finding and career building within the FM industry.

Since 2010, qualifications in facilities management have been a hot topic. Visit any FM event and you’ll be lucky to get away without hearing someone talking about FM qualifications.

John Lambert discusses the importance of training and what aspects need to be considered to ensure a thorough programme is in place.

In tough financial times, it is expected that most organisations will make cutbacks in order to become more sustainable.

Talk to any accountant, doctor or lawyer and you will find that qualifications formed an integral part of the early stage of their careers, and continuing professional development has been a constant throughout.

Martin Pickard, Conference Chair at Workplace Futures 2013, looks back at a long list of challenging issues facing FM but concludes the overall message is a positive one.

Phil Ratcliffe is in FM but stands outside it, too. As a consultant, he has a clear view of what goes on in the industry, as well as keen insight into some of the problems and challenges.

Qualifications in facilities management have taken great strides over the past few years. There is now more choice than ever.

The support services group PHS is what you might call 'a solid little business'. And you’d be right: it has been solid, safe, maybe even unexciting; but it is not so little and it does have some new ideas for growth.

Barry Varcoe and John Hinks explore a future that offers greater recognition, integration and value for FM.