Hiring is a topic that is on the minds of many facilities managers currently. Facilities managers want to know who is out there, what they can bring to the table and what it takes to get them in the door. The next generation of facilities workers are coming, and managers need to prepare themselves for the future of hiring. To see who and what is on the horizon, NFMT Remix has spoken with Alana Dunoff, adjunct professor for the facilities management program at Temple University about what the next generation of facilities managers look like and how they are preparing
NFMT: With newer technologies on the horizon, are new facilities managers ready to adapt to and respond to the changes these will bring?
Dunoff: Just by the nature of the generation, there is already a technology savvy that exists among emerging FM leaders. Most young people today have a much stronger adaptability to new technology, software and apps than the folks who are retiring. So, that is helpful because so much of facilities management. I was joking that I can run my entire building off my cell phone. With that level of sophistication of our smart buildings, we just really need to learn the app. It makes some parts of the operation side of facilities less complicated because I do not have to know the ins and outs.
On the academic front, we are certainly trying at Temple University – and other FM programs around the globe – trying to expose students to these different kinds of systems. We are exposing them to integrated work management systems which have been around for a while. Of course, we are also giving students exposure to them because some of these systems are web-based now and different than before. In addition to that, it is trying to expose students to a variety of different types of systems.
So, I can give my students exposure to one company, but then they will be able to take that knowledge and apply it to whatever software or technology their new company has. At least then they understand why the company has an energy management system. From that standpoint, we are trying to teach the new generation coming in that these systems exist, what they are and how they can apply them to their future employer.
NFMT: With a growing focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship in facilities management, are future facilities managers prepared to tackle these issues?
Dunoff: By the nature of academia, the concepts of sustainability, environmental stewardship and circular economy – all these sorts of words and ideas – are embedded in the curriculum at this point. It used to be that there was a sustainability class, but now every class talks about sustainability in some way, shape or form. If you want to go deeper, you can specialize or pick a concentration in sustainability or environmental sciences.
So, you are seeing that sort of expansion. It is part of the conversation because this is a newer generation in school now that are so much more environmentally aware and sensitive, they almost demand it. They are already light years ahead of where my generation or the older generation are at.
I encourage my students who are particularly interested in this to add to their degrees, such as getting credentialed in sustainability. There are lots of them out there but getting some kind of sustainability certification is a great differentiator for new graduates in the marketplace. It opens all kinds of opportunities and I think that is a huge frontier that will continue to expand.
NFMT: What should employers know about the skills and qualifications of the emerging facilities managers?
Dunoff: If you are hiring and you are looking to hire young, fresh talent, you are going to accredited programs or FM programs where these students already have a significant base of knowledge. Yes, you are going to have to train them in how you do things in a specific way. What I see with our students who go for internships is that the companies are blown away by what they know going in the door and they just need someone to mentor them in how their company does it. The students’ baseline is strong, the company just needs to teach them how the company manages their process. That is something that I hope the industry sees as they are looking to hire. That is, that the academia can offer that for them significantly if they are hiring.
NFMT: What advice can you give to potential employers or recruiters in facilities management?
Dunoff: A strong recruiting practice for anyone who's looking to hire is to be willing to train and incentivize people to come work for them. They could offer training for the credentials these prospective employees need. Use that to encourage potential applicants if you are looking to hire, because the market is tight. So, if you are looking to hire, then open that aperture. You can train a lot of people in facilities management to be good technicians. Just give them the additional training that they need because we know that will be valuable and be helpful.
To learn more about hiring for facilities management, be sure to check out the related NFMT FM Huddle on hiring at NFMT Remix this October. Register for Remix here.
Jeff Wardon, Jr. is the assistant editor for the facilities market.
