Employers and employees often question the value of credentials, accreditations and designations – and which ones add value to the organization. There is an investment of time and money for both. So, what is the return on this investment? There are lots of credentials out there, so why take them with IFMA?

The facility management profession is a complex and challenging field. The demands are many with the common thread of “never enough time.” As a facility manager, you lead various teams whether in projects or operations. You establish and report on budgets and service contracts. You are involved in procuring supplies, equipment and services particular to operating and maintaining facilities which demands knowledgeable expertise in drafting technical specifications. You practice collaboration daily with colleagues throughout the organization in order to ensure the workplace is safe and operational. You need to be a master of many skill sets as the world of FM is multi-faceted.

There are strong, compelling reasons to pursue professional certification and designations for both the employer and employee.

Earned designations are a third-party endorsement of an individual’s professional knowledge and experience. These improve and confirm qualification for a current job, supporting the skills that you need to excel at your job. Roughly 84% of employers felt that an IFMA designation increases job confidence. It identifies to an employer that you have the skills that this profession requires which will benefit the organization. This represents a consistent level of skill for an employer when they hire someone with certification.

Designations also gain qualifications for a future job. For an individual, they may want to advance to a more challenging position in the future. For an employer, they may be preparing an employee to take on a larger role through succession planning. This is a valuable way to retain an existing knowledgeable employee.

Designations are portable. They go with you and are recognized around the globe. As an individual, the effort to gain the skills and knowledge stays with you, no matter where you are around the world. For the employer, many organizations are global and require skills that are transportable. All employers want leading global facility management skills applied locally.

Designations earn recognition amongst your peers. They also provide credibility to your facility management organization. Organisations have indicated that there was 74% increase in overall reputation of the FM team by having employees earn an IFMA designation. This assists with opening the door to senior management and provides them with the insight and confidence of the FM decisions.

Designated skills assist with ensuring the best job is done. This creates job satisfaction for the individual and raises the level of service from the FM organization and increases the collective knowledge of the organization.

Facility management is service leadership. Designations stimulate strategic thinking, which is an asset to the individual and the FM organization. Strategic thinking benefits all and has assisted in the ability of facility managers to pivot and master the challenges that arise.

As an investment, there are benefits for both the individual and the FM organization. The individual averages a return on investment of IFMA learning programs of 15:1. On average, the credential holder increases their salary US$6,000 within the first year. Beyond the increase in credibility and knowledge within the FM organization, the support of learning is often a benefit to recruiting new employees.

The commitment to take a designation reflects the level of commitment of the employee to the profession. This commitment often ensures that the employee will contribute back to the FM organization in a meaningful way and is committed to the FM work.

Why choose IFMA?

IFMA is a recognized industry leader globally. There are more than 16,000 active IFMA designation holders in 102 countries. IFMA sets the standard for knowledge and competency of practicing FMs. They perform the Global Job Task Analysis (GJTA) every 5 – 7 years, which is a landmark initiative to thoroughly define the practice of FM. The GJTA identifies and validates FM job responsibilities as found globally and provides the basis for the profession’s body of knowledge meaning the knowledge is relevant globally as well as specific to your work locally.

The quality of the IFMA designations (FMP, SFP) and certification (CFM®) is broad and encompassing, and it is a reflection of the work that we do and the skills that are needed for your organization.

Accreditation is the formal recognition by an authoritative body of the competence demonstrated by IFMA to work to specified standards (ISO/IEC 17024). The scope of accreditation is the Certified Facility Manager® (CFM®).

IFMA Certificate Commission is also accredited by under ANSI/ANAB under ANSI/ASTM E2659-18 Standard Practice for Certificate Programs. The scope of this accreditation is the Facility Management Professional™ (FMP®) and the Sustainability Facility Professional® (SFP®) certificate programs. Achieving the FMP/SFP will “signify that the certificate holder has completed a prescribed course of study designed specifically to meet predefined industry requirements – and that [IFMA] has met, and continues to meet, standards for quality improvement.”

Why is accreditation important? It ensures both the employer and employee as to the competency achieved for the person who earns this certification and designation.

Accreditation provides assurance to customers that IFMA operates according to internationally accepted criteria. Because ANSI/ISO accreditation is internationally recognized as a mark of quality, it offers FMs and their employers elevated assurance that IFMA’s designations and credential meet the highest industry standards. It takes the FM to a whole new level in validating professional excellence.

We all have different learning styles and life demands that require flexibility to learning. IFMA offers a wide range of learning options, providing access around the globe. Courses are available online or in-person. There is a range of leading books available through the IFMA bookstore – reference materials that can still be used 20 years after purchase. The online option of materials and courses offers flexibility to learn as your schedule permits. The course materials include study cards, quizzes and self-assessments – all learning techniques that support your learning.

As a professional body, the education complements accredited academic degree programs. Alternatively, this education specific to facility management complements those that may have a degree in another discipline related to the industry or are working in the industry and require the opportunity for education that IFMA offers.

As with all professionals, continuous learning is part of professional growth and ensures that you stay relevant in the industry. With IFMA, there is learning from experts around the world. This professional learning ensures that organizations benefit from the most current innovations globally.

IFMA is a leader in research and benchmarking. With credentials, a facility manager and their FM organization are able to participate – to keep abreast of the latest industry trends as well as influence those trends.

There are multiple reasons and benefits to both the individual and your FM organization to support and pursue designations and credential through IFMA. In such a complex industry, I have pursued multiple designations and credentials – all of which have contributed to providing FM service. As an FM professional, credentials and designations earned from IFMA are some of the most valuable investments I have made.