Facilities Manager Review

My role consists of keeping the academy open, operational, safe and compliant. I manage a small Site Team at a large senior academy in Bristol. On a day to day basic, my role consists from PPM of the M&E equipment, to compliance of subject based items, to setting up for various venues.

In Facility Management you can be a jack of all trades and a master of none. You have had knowledge across a wide array of equipment from fire sprinkler, to fume cupboards, to sports equipment and line markings, to electrical and legionella. The course included various up to date information which helps fill the gaps in my knowledge.

To be total frank, it did prove problematic at my level to ensure you spent the correct regular amount of time on the programme. Booking a couple of hours out of the business is not always possible as the needs of the end customer can be demanding and insist on a prompt delivery.

I feel that the programme did have when structed chapters. However, Facility Management isn't a simple A through to Z system. There are many areas which do relate back to each other. As a result, dealing with one area or section, many not make total sense until you have all of the sections in place.

Very little. The support for Level 2 is good and is encouraged for apprentices. However, a Level 3, the amount of time agree to spend on the course in reality is different to that achievable. This is a tricky balance when you are trying to work and study at the same time.

Unfortunately, soon after starting the programme COVID hit. We managed to meet on site 1 or twice before the lock down started. A large section of the programme was then managed by myself. Even when completing the mock papers, it was difficult to obtain feedback. Support then started again as I reared the exam period.

The reason I choose to carry out the training programme, was that I did not have a career specific qualification. I had numerous health & safety qualifications. But wanted to achieve this qualification to bridge the gap and make my career qualifications make sense and paint a larger picture going forward.

No. However, I am a person that likes to hit the right work / life balance. I work hard and then miss to leave work where it is and enjoy my home life separately. I manage to achieve when rounded professional approach to my work life without the need for extra curricular activities.

Yes

I am a Facilities Manager and have worked at that level for 5 years at this employer. During that time, I have seen 3 apprentices sitting level 2. While the most recent has become my latest full time Site Assistant, the other 2 have gone on to manage their own primary academy.

Be realistic in understanding the role and the training programme. While college placement may be the best idea for someone in finance, taking someone out of the work base in facilities management may not be possible. This area is 24/7 and is always rolling. Saying you can spend 6 hours a week on the course programme, may not be achievable.