July 22, 2002—The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) is currently working to set up a pilot program for a European facilities management qualification framework in Holland, to be followed by Spain and Denmark.
Working with the National FM Associations and EuroFM, the BIFM intends to complete the framework within five years and aims to have it endorsed by the European Union.
Following the pilots, the first being the Dutch which should be in place by the end of this year, the BIFM will set up milestones for the final program. The delivery method is likely to be via the web in the form of e-learning.
Apart from core competencies at the center of the qualification, which will be adopted across most countries, other competencies will be specific to each country. The framework may include one or more qualification levels.
Chairman of the BIFM qualification panel, Geoff Gidley, has been appointed program manager of the EQFM. His vision for the framework is that people will feel they need to have this qualification: “This will be something that brings together FMs, something for them to talk about and feel part of.”
The aim of the qualification is to enable facilities managers to work in any EU country and still demonstrate an ability to work to the highest standards. It is therefore important that the EQFM is recognised by both public and private sector employers across the continent. To promote it, the BIFM and the National FM Associations will mainly use the web.
Learning material will be provided in each countrys native language and in the UK the BIFMs existing qualification will be absorbed into the European one. “Wed rather be inside the framework than outside,” says Gidley.
Funding will be a combination of EU support and, as is the case in Denmark and possibly the UK, through local government funds.
—Jessica Jarlvi
Reprinted with permission; copyright 2002 i-FM
