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30 July 2007

BIFM Chief Executive Ian R Fielder said:

'This is one of the most significant steps forward for the FM Industry and will develop FM as a career of choice. The new entry level FM units will also complement the recently announced Construction and the Built Environment Diploma for 14-19 year olds.'

BIFM has been working closely with ILM and Asset Skills to develop a cohesive and integrated strategy which engages with employers on this increasingly critical issue for the facilities management profession.

Kim Parish, CEO of ILM said:

'As the largest provider of management and leadership qualifications in Europe, ILM is delighted to be working with the BIFM on this exciting venture. High level generic management skills are important in any profession, and critical in one growing as rapidly as facilities management.'

Sir Digby Jones opened the forum and addressed skills development as a key for competitive advantage, placing the professional standards and education strategy in a wider business context. Sir Digby's experience as Director General of the CBI and his current role as UK Skills Envoy proved a powerful combination for tackling this subject.

Richard Beamish, Asset Skills chief executive, followed by giving the Asset Skills perspective with details of the action plan for the FM sector.

To support entry into the facilities management profession from related areas, the new qualifications will sit alongside ILM supervisory management qualifications. This offers the opportunity for first line managers to gain a highly relevant qualification and an accessible entry point to the qualifications ladder.

Valerie Everitt, BIFM Professional Standards & Education Director, said:

‘Ensuring qualifications reflect economically valuable skills is central to the Leitch report and BIFM is delighted to play its part in supporting the vision of an industry led skills and qualifications framework.’’

These new co-branded FM units will complement the Asset Skills action plan for the sector and the recently announced Construction and the Built Environment Diploma for 14-19 year olds.

The Institute welcomes feedback, particularly from employers. To submit feedback and keep up-to-date with the latest developments see www.bifm.org.uk/employerforum

Further information

Please contact Rebecca Warburton, BIFM Communications & External Affairs, by calling 0845 058 1356 or e-mail: rebecca.warburton@bifm.org.uk

Notes for editors:

About the British Institute of Facilities Management

BIFM is the UK’s lead institute representing those who practice facilities management and who work in organisations supplying facilities management related goods or services. BIFM has remained one of the fastest growing professional bodies in the UK since its formation in 1993. Most members are individual professionals, with a growing number of corporate members. BIFM has strong links with facilities management organisations abroad, placing it at the forefront of international issues. BIFM helps to inform decision-makers in business and Government about FM and how to improve performance. For more information visit http://www.bifm.org.uk/ or telephone 0845 058 1356.

About the Institute of Leadership & Management

The Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) is part of the international City & Guilds group. ILM is the largest provider of management education qualifications in Europe, building the skills of over 90,000 managers and leaders each year.

All ILM qualifications are designed to deliver practical business benefit to the individual, their team and the organisation they work for. ILM's qualifications are delivered by 2,000 further education colleges, universities, training providers and companies in the UK and globally.

ILM is the professional membership body of choice for over 25,000 forward thinking managers and leaders providing a wide range of member benefits, support and development opportunities throughout their career.

City & Guilds (http://www.cityandguilds.com/ ) is the expert and leading authority in vocational education and training - both in the UK and beyond.

In operation for the last 130 years, City & Guilds is the UK’s leading awarding body for work-related qualifications. Twenty million people in the UK have City & Guilds qualifications, and the organisation awards a further 1.5 million qualifications to learners every year.

City & Guilds also enables people to develop essential leadership and management skills through its Institute of Leadership and Management, which is the largest provider of management qualifications in Europe.

City & Guilds creates prosperity from skills for individuals, business and nations within and beyond the workplace.