FMA News & Press Releases
Candidates Celebrate Passing the FMA Certificate Course
Published: Thursday 8th August 2013
Source: FMA
The success of fifteen candidates passing the Facilities Management Association Certificate Course is being celebrated after they received their certificates on 31 July 2013.
Bottom row (L-R): Sally Karassek, Vinci; Simon Cowls, Interserve; Thomas Pound, ISS; Tom Gray, Interserve; Shaun Porter, Interserve.
The three-month online course has been designed for the large number of experienced FM professionals without formal qualifications and is intended to develop their leadership and management skills.
The Facilities Society Director, Dr Brian Atkin, is another key developer of the course and Chief Assessor of the programme. He explains: “The course was designed to develop the knowledge and skills of experienced Facility Managers aiming for a higher degree.
“The intention was not to reinforce current best practice – a case of more of the same – but instead to stretch participants to take on innovative concepts, apply them in the workplace and evaluate their findings. The course has provided ‘learning in its own right’, as well as preparing participants for the rigours of the MBA programme.”
Following completion of the certificate course, candidates can continue onto the FM MBA available exclusively to member organisations through the FMA and delivered by Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University.
The MBA is one of the major recognised benchmark qualifications for senior managers in a wide range of disciplines. In Facilities Management it provides the unique chance to bridge the education gap for experienced FMs, providing a deeper understanding of the industry.
The blended distance learning course allows for independent study and completion of the programme in just 3 years with 20 days tuition in London. The FM MBA builds on Sheffield Hallam's portfolio of facilities management courses including its existing MBA.
Richard Sykes, FMA Chairman, said: “It’s fantastic news that the FMA and Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam have worked together to build the FM Certificate and FM MBA courses.
"Our industry needs to offer both development and education at all levels and this latest development offers opportunities that previously did not exist. This is another positive step in ensuring we develop our sectors’ future leaders.”
Professor Adrian Hopgood, Pro Vice Chancellor of Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam said: “Sheffield Business School is committed to providing courses that deliver not only academic excellence, but also practical and relevant benefits in the workplace. This new MBA course, developed in partnership with the FMA, is a prime example of that commitment.”
Professor Isobel Doole, Assistant Dean of Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam added: "This new MBA in FM reflects our ambition to deliver high quality management education which is totally aligned to the needs of individuals looking to develop themselves to be the leaders and managers in the field of facilities management. The FMA is a very important corporate learning partner and we are proud to be working with such a prestigious organisation in developing this innovative and exciting new programme."
A total of eighteen students will start the MBA course in September comprising of students from the certificate course and additional candidates from other member organisations. Recruiting for next year has begun, for details visit: http://www.fmassociation.org.uk/uni or contact: [email protected]
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Notes to Editors
- The FMA is the trade association for the Facilities Management sector, and serves as the voice of the industry. Visit our website - http://www.fmassociation.org.uk/
- Follow the FMA on Twitter @FMAssociation
- To arrange an interview with Chris Hoar, Chief Executive of the FMA, please email [email protected]
- For further information on the FM MBA and Sheffield Business School, please contact Mel Bull on 0114 225 3240 or email [email protected].
- The Centre for Facilities Management Development's annual conference on public sector FM, We're In This Together, takes place at Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 September. To book a place on the conference, go to www.shu.ac.uk/sbs/research/facilities-management/events.html or call CFMD on 0114 225 6243