Steven Ee’s Blog for FM Practitioners

THANK YOU so much for those who expressed concern about my blog. Yes, it’s been a long silence……Some of you may know that I have been spending much time in promoting Facility Management profession and its practices and in creating awareness to raise the recognition for FM.

I like to update about the awareness of Facility Management and its awareness in Singapore, and probably South-East Asia.

22^nd & 23rd April, 2010, marked a breakthrough for the Facility Management Profession through the organised BCAA-IFMA Regional Conference 2010, entitled “Sustainable Facility Management – A Business Advantage to Organisations” held at Grand Hyatt, Singapore. The events include, on Day One, one full day Seminar and evening Networking Dinner and Day Two, a half-day Workshop and a half-day Site Visits.

The most significant event was the signing of Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, between Building Construction Authority, BCA, and the International Facility Management Association, IFMA. The MOU was signed by Dr John Keung, CEO, BCA and Mr Tony Keane, CEO and President, IFMA. The event was published in The Straits Times, dated 23rd April, 2010.

At the evening Networking Dinner, presentation of certifications for the Facility Management Professional, FMP,and the Certified Facility Manager, CFM, has demonstrated the existence of Facility Management knowledge and competencies that are recognised globally and adopted by associations such as the Facility Management Australia ( FMA), British Institute of Facilities Management ( BIFM), Facility Management Japan ( FMJ) and etc. The credentials marked the proficiencies and competencies of Facility Management practitioners, having achieved the awards. The FMPs and CFMs are well seek after by Multi-National Companies, especially the Americans, British, Europeans, Japanese, etc, that recognised the values that these Facility Management professionals will bring to their organisations.

Ultimately, the events were organised to create the value of Facility Management, as the Conference put it, as a business advantage to organisations. How well will the profession and its practitioners will be recognised and raised to a higher level lies on each and every facility management practitioners. Together, let us take pride and continually contribute to raise the recognition of our profession.

To Your FM Success!

Steven Ee

…making a difference in facility management!

Hello FM Practitioners,

Welcome back to this blog. In responding to enquiries about information on IFMA credential programs - FMP & CFM, I have created a slide show. The presentation will explain briefly the credential programs, their entry requirement and the competencies covered. Also, the presentation shows the learning environment that participants will undergo.

Please email this link to your colleagues,friends, whoever who may be keen in FM credential programs.

Keep your questions, queries coming. I will do my best to cover them.

To Your FM Success!
steven@stevenee.com

Making a Difference in Facility Management…..

I have attached a presentation on the recent IFMA - Leadership and Management Course conducted in Singapore.

Dr Gan C E was the Course Instructor, together with fellow Facility Management practitioners. I was there as the Course Facilitator. What I enjoyed most were the class discussions where the Instructor share his knowledge and sharing of valuable experiences among participants.

Enjoy!

It is FMS Vision to elevate the profession of Facility Management, in Singapore, to be a value-added function and business advantage to organisation.

We hope you will support and join us in the journey…..

To  Your FM Success!

steven@stevenee.com

Making a Difference in Facility Management…….

For information.

As you read, you may want to relate to Singapore and South-East Asia regions on how relevant facility management is to these regions….

Press Releases

For Immediate Release
Andrea Sanchez
IFMA
1-713-623-4362

Date Posted: April 17, 2007

CHINESE GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZES IFMA AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT

IFMA Partners with Yingbiao Human Resources Development to Deliver Education

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) today announced formal recognition from the Occupational Skills Testing Authority (OSTA) of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, People’s Republic of China (PRC), to provide facility management education in China. OSTA awarded IFMA the certifying document bearing the PRC’s official seal, a prerequisite for providing certifiable education. The OSTA document also signifies that the Chinese government recognizes facility management as a distinct discipline and career pursuit.

Yingbiao Human Resources Ltd., a company recognized by OSTA, will be IFMA’s contract bureau and education partner in the PRC. IFMA and Yingbiao signed a partnering agreement in Beijing in July 2006.

Preparing to enter the Chinese market was a four-year process, including several visits between North American and Chinese delegations, educators and subject-matter experts.

Initially IFMA and Yingbiao will provide a series of courses in China based on the nine core facility management competencies IFMA has identified and developed since introducing the competency-based Certified Facility Manager credential in 1993. All facility management competency courses and supporting materials have been translated from English into Chinese and adapted and customized to fit Chinese culture and business practices. Those successfully completing a course will receive a special certificate for that competency. Certificates will be written in both English and Chinese. The nine facility management competencies are: planning and project management; real estate; leadership and management; finance; operations and maintenance; quality assessment and innovation; human and environmental factors; communication; and technology.

Yingbiao also will present IFMA’s comprehensive Business of FM course at selected times and locations throughout China. The course covers all aspects of facility management and demonstrates how good facility management practices enhance the value of the organization’s physical, human and intellectual assets. It also covers how the facility function can become more visible and achieve greater recognition by all stakeholders in the enterprise—from owners, to co-workers, to customers. The Business of FM course has been tremendously successful in North America, Europe and in other parts of Asia.

“Recognition from the PRC government in Beijing is a significant milestone for IFMA and the facility management profession,” said David J. Brady, IFMA’s president and chief executive officer. “China has the world’s largest population and a robust expanding economy. There is new construction everywhere—factories, office buildings, airports, hospitals, schools and other facilities are coming online in staggering numbers. The need for facility management knowledge, training and benchmarking is commensurate with this rapid expansion. IFMA’s partnership with Yingbiao is an effective way to provide educational content and to connect facility management professionals in China with their counterparts around the world. Certified courses addressing specific needs are the best way to begin and build the relationship.”

Additionally, among other China-related responsibilities outlined in the IFMA – Yingbiao agreement, Yingbiao will administer IFMA’s Certified Facility Manager and Facility Management Professional credentials; recruit individual and corporate members for IFMA; promote the importance of facility management education and its contributions to performance; and help safeguard IFMA’s intellectual property. IFMA is the largest and most widely recognized professional association for facility management, supporting more than 18,500 members. The Association’s members are represented in 125 chapters and 15 councils in 65 countries worldwide. Globally, IFMA certifies facility managers, conducts research, provides educational programs, recognizes facility management degree and certificate programs, and produces World Workplace, the largest facility management-related conference and exposition. For more information, visit www.ifma.org.

Yingbiao, an independent legal entity in the field of education and training, is committed to the introduction and promotion of various international professional qualifications and is entrusted by the Occupational Skill Testing Authority of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, People’s Republic of China. Yingbiao is the official examination office for Sino-British vocational qualifications and has experience with other international vocational certificates in China.

Isn’t it time that Singapore and South-East Asia region also recognise facility management?

To Your FM Success!

steven@stevenee.com

Making a Difference in Facility Management….

For your information.

FMA Australia Adopts IFMA’s CFM, FMP Credentials

Jan. 8, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

Contact:            Andrea Sanchez

                        713-623-4362

                        communications@ifma.org

FMA Australia Adopts IFMA’s CFM, FMP Credentials

HOUSTON — (Jan. 8, 2009) — The International Facility Management Association is pleased to announce that the Facility Management Association of Australia has replaced its accreditation system with IFMA’s Certified Facility Manager^® and Facility Management Professional credentialing programs.

The change, which took effect Jan. 1, 2009, revises the credentials FMA Australia has had in place since 2000 and is in line with the collaborative goals outlined in the two associations’ Partners in FM Excellence agreement.

Transitionary arrangements for those who received credentials through FMA Australia’s accreditation system have been negotiated with IFMA and the International Credentials Committee, the governing body that oversees the CFM^® and FMP programs.

“Our organizations have been working together for many years, and FMA Australia’s decision to adopt our credentials is one of the fruits of that partnership,” said IFMA President and CEO David J. Brady. “We think this says a lot about the strength and validity of our credentials in the global marketplace and is the next step forward in expanding our Partners in FM Excellence agreement.”

“FMA Australia is very pleased to be adopting IFMA’s credentialing programs within the Australian marketplace,” said David Duncan, CEO of FMA Australia. “The currency, international recognition, rigor and continuous professional development requirements make the CFM and FMP programs highly relevant in Australia. FMA Australia is looking forward to working closely with IFMA and the ICC to ensure that these programs maintain their relevance and value in Australia and across the globe.”

For more information on the CFM and FMP programs, click here.

IFMA is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for professional facility managers, supporting more than 19,500 members in 60 countries. The association’s members, represented in 125 chapters and 15 councils worldwide, manage more than 37 billion square feet of property and annually purchase more than US$100 billion in products and services. Formed in 1980, IFMA certifies facility managers, conducts research, provides educational programs, recognizes facility management certificate programs and produces World Workplace, the world’s largest facility management conference and exposition. For more information, visit the IFMA press room or www.ifma.org.

 To Your FM Success!

steven@stevenee.com

 Making a Difference in Facility Management…..

What about FMP, can you elaborate?

   There is no exam.There will be test & assignments to be done during the course.

·   Designed to broaden a beginner’s knowledge and accelerate transition into the profession. 

·   Knowledge-based: Requires candidates to earn

6 credits through the completion of approved courses. Refer to FMP online brochure at www.ifma.org for more information.

·   1 credit equals 15 hours of instructor contact time. This is equal to a two-day IFMA course or two half-day courses at 7.5 hours each.

·   FMP is an ideal springboard for obtaining the CFM.

To Your FM Success!

steven@stevenee.com

Making a Difference in Facility Management…….

Many ask about:

1. What is Facility Management Professional (FMP) Credential Program?

2. What are the benefits of obtaining the credential FMP?

3. What are the entry requirement?

1. What is Facility Management Professional (FMP) Credential Program?

Facility Management professional (FMP) designation is a global recognised credential for facility management practitional. It was developed by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA-USA).

It is a knowledge-based credential demonstrating a proven comprehension of the basics of facility management. It is designed to prepare new and transitioning facility professionals for the demands of today’s dynamic workplace.

2. What are the benefits of obtaining the credential FMP?

3. What are the entry requirement?

The recommendation for those planning to participate in the FMP program to meet one of the following criteria:

·         Facility management practitioners with less than five years of experience

·         Transitioning professionals with significant experience in former related careers 

·         Partner practitioners such as architects, designers and safety engineers

·         Associated corporate providers of FM products and services

·         Students entering the profession from colleges, universities, certificate or technical programs 

For more information, you may visit www.fms-1.com or www.ifma.org

To Your FM Success!

steven@stevenee.com