The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) have signed a Partnership Agreement to work together to support future growth in the facilities and workplace management sector.
It was signed on 4 July by Mark Hoban MP, Minister of State for Employment, Gareth Tancred, CEO of BIFM (pictured left to right), and Martin Brown, Work Services director for Wales and Employers, Department for Work and Pensions.
Mark Hoban MP said: “The importance of the FM sector to our economy and jobs market, through the wide range of opportunities it offers to so many individuals to get into work and build their career prospects, is why BIFM is a key partner for us. We look forward to working together and building on the successes made to date, supporting young people, NEETs (those not in education, employment, or training), and career switchers, into new work opportunities.”
Under the Agreement the BIFM and DWP say they will:
• Drive a shared agenda on increasing routes into, and raising skills and professionalism of, all those working in facilities and workplace management.
• Develop a careers engagement programme to help individuals enter, re-enter, or progress in the facilities and workplace management labour market.
• Share best practice.
• Ensure equality of access and opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds.
• Utilise mechanisms such as the BIFM qualifications programme and support the development and delivery of an industry standard.
• Putt in place ‘signposting arrangements’ so businesses and individuals know how to access support on employment and skills.
Gareth Tancred added: “Developing, attracting, and maintaining a highly-skilled workforce is essential to bridging the demographic timebomb in FM.”
