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Three years on, RMIT University continues to close the gap between training needs and education in the Facilities Management industry. Applications are now being taken for the July 2011 intake.
RMIT first introduced the Certificate IV in Property Services (Operations) in 2008 because of the lack of skill development opportunities, particularly when new people entered the FM industry.
So together with nine key industry stakeholders, including; ISS World, Brookfield, Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), Sentinar, Stockland, Transfield Services, PROGRAMMED Facility Management (Tungsten), FMA Australia and CPSISC, the entry level program was developed to help meet the increasing challenges of managing the built environment.
Since then, RMIT has taken the next step to develop and successfully implement the Diploma of Property Services (Asset and Facility Management) to offer FM professionals a vocational education and a career progression pathway.
It covers key elements and principles of facilities management including, managing financial and operational plans, sustainability, asset maintenance and management plans, risk management and work place safety.
Both the RMIT Certificate and Diploma combine blended, flexible teaching delivery methods, which include face-to-face, online and workplace integrated learning and assessment projects/tasks.
Christopher McCallum is a service centre officer with the Department of Treasury and Finance. He decided to undertake the Certificate IV because he felt he needed some formal qualification to underpin and enhance his experience/knowledge within the facility sector.
“RMIT appealed to me because they have a more hands-on approach to study and I felt that would enhance my learning and better equip me to link it back to my professional work.
“A highlight of my studies has been the connections with other people from the FM industry. Through my interaction with RMIT staff and other students, I’ve learnt to take a more formal approach to facilities management and I now have a better take on managing my tasks and time,” said McCallum.
Ross Carland is a 50-year-old with an electrical background who was forced to find another job when his employer closed down.
Carland secured a position at Brookfield as a Facility/Maintenance Manager but he lacked the FM experience. So after discussing it with his new boss, he contacted RMIT and found out they offered FM programs.
“My time so far at RMIT has been good. I’ve really enjoyed studying procurement, tendering and asset management as these topics play a major role in facility management.
“The skills I’ve obtained will help develop my role and also further my career. It also makes me very versatile within the business”
“The staff at RMIT are always willing to discuss issues and help whenever required. They’re always very approachable. This has made my transition back into study much easier,” said Carland.
Jasmin Barker, who previously managed the FM student recruitment, comments: “It has been really refreshing to see the level of commitment from both students and employers. The uptake has been overwhelming.
“The availability of State and Federal subsidised places has seen more people and businesses come into the program that otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford studying, especially due to tight post-GFC budgets.”
RMIT is currently taking applications for July intake.