Stuart O'Brien, Author at Facilities Management Forum | Forum Events Ltd - Page 58 of 87
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Stuart O'Brien

Network with peers at the Sports & Leisure Forum
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Network with your peers at the Sports & Leisure Forum, where you’ll also have the opportunity to meet with new suppliers and attend a series of insightful seminars.

17 & 18 June 2019 – Radisson Blu Hotel, London Stansted

This unique two-day event is entirely FREE for you to attend – but register your place today to avoid disappointment.

As our VIP guest, you will be presented with a bespoke itinerary of meetings with suppliers relevant to your business and upcoming projects.

All hospitality – including overnight accommodation, meals and refreshments, plus an invitation to our gala dinner with entertainment – is included with your free ticket.

You will be joining representatives from the likes of Aspire Defence Services, Aylsham Learning Federation, High Five Health Promotion, Orangetheory, The Hurlingham Club, University of Hull and many more…

Register your free place today!

Or for more information, contact Jordan Kimsey on 01992 374101 / j.kimsey@forumevents.co.uk.

Alternatively, to attend as an industry supplier, contact Josh Oxberry on 01992 374104 / j.oxberry@forumevents.co.uk.

FM sector increases hourly pay for skills-short roles as Brexit looms
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Facilities management firms are turning to financial incentives to lure top contract talent as the Brexit vote drives EU citizens out of the UK, according to new data.

Engage Technology Partners says its pay data has revealed that since the vote to leave the Bloc in 2016, hourly pay for skills-short roles has increased, with maintenance positions in particular noting an uptick in money.

Handymen and mechanical maintenance professionals reported the greatest increase in the three years since the vote at 13% and 10% respectively, while electricians saw a 5% rise in hourly rates.

This data has been revealed amid news from the CIPD that talent shortages are already being felt ahead of the UK’s exit from the EU next year. According to its latest Labour Market Outlook report, a third of employers of EU citizens have reported that the Brexit decision has led to an exodus of these professionals from their UK base.

Drey Francis, Director at Engage, said: “For Facilities management firms, maintaining reliable access to a team of maintenance professionals was already an issue before the Brexit vote. Since the decision was made to exit the EU, this issue has deteriorated further, with many of the FM firms we have a relationship with reporting that availability of these professionals is one of their biggest concerns going in to 2019.

“Given how sparse some of the talent for these roles is in general, it’s perhaps no wonder that employers are turning to financial incentives to attract staff. However, this isn’t a sustainable approach. Of course, we still need to wait and see what happens in terms of the agreement on the Freedom of Movement for the UK, but action can be taken now to improve staffing efficiencies in order to better cope with the expected upheaval in Spring 2019. For example, where FM businesses have widespread operations, there are often resources that can be utilised in other locations, but a lack of visibility of this information is preventing hiring managers from tapping into these staffing pools.”

ABM UK’s J.E.E.P programme produces first wave of graduates
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Thirty-six school children from West London graduated from the world’s first Junior Engineering Engagement Programme (J.E.E.P), which first started in January 2018.

The programme seeks to change perceptions of apprenticeships and make a real impact in the engineering and facilities management sectors by making use of the expertise offered by ABM UK employees.

The graduation follows research highlighting that sixty per cent of young people were unlikely to consider working in the engineering and facilities management industries, fuelling the creation of a skills gap.

Students from Northolt High School, Brentside High School and Featherstone High School presented their final projects, exploring how schools can be more sustainable, at ABM’s training centre in Greenford.

Each student has been awarded an official commendation from certified industry body, the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM, formerly BIFM).

Adam Baker, ABM UK director, said: “We have a responsibility as an industry to engage young people and demonstrate the attractive careers available, whether you are entering the industry through an apprenticeship or a university degree. The first year of our J.E.E.P initiative is a fantastic step towards doing this and we’re delighted that it’s been such a success.

“We set out to change perceptions of technical careers and the feedback from our students has been overwhelmingly positive. There’s clear evidence that exposing young people to the realities of the job, coupled with the right education, can transform how careers in engineering and facilities management are viewed. I wish the thirty-six young people every success in the future.”

Linda Hausmanis, Chief Executive of the IWFM, said: “The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (formerly BIFM) is delighted to support ABM UK in this initiative. Today’s graduation marks an important moment for the industry – it’s a step towards making apprenticeships in facilities management a stronger proposition for young people looking at career choices, and compliments IWFM’s work to reposition the FM profession as a career of choice not chance.

“There’s a serious skills gap in the industry, which can only be plugged if we pull together to highlight the fulfilling end careers we can offer. We look forward to next year when the programme aims to engage even more young people in careers in workplace and facilities management.”

Over the course of the year, students studied a syllabus comprising of 10 modules that cover the basic principles of engineering and facilities management. Topics such as heating, security and customer services were also included alongside theories of induction, electricity and energy. The course also allowed students to visit The London Transport Museum Depot and Heathrow Airport to explore the everyday reality of jobs in engineering and facilities management.

Morgan from Northolt High School said: “When I started the J.E.E.P course I had heard the word ‘apprentice’ before but I wasn’t sure what an apprenticeship was, or what a career in facilities management was. Now I understand about what careers are available and also what they are about. I’m even thinking about being an electrician when I’m older.”

Speaking of the value of apprenticeships in her role as J.E.E.P ambassador, Stemettes co-founder and CEO Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon said: “University is often publicised as the ‘only’ route but this is not true. Apprenticeships are a fantastic viable alternative, which allows young people to earn while they learn and then, often before they are 20 years of age, have debt-free foundations from which to build a solid, well-paid career. Not enough people know about the breadth and availability of apprenticeships; Initiatives such as the J.E.E.P positively profile the virtues of technical careers and engage young people in the options available to them at an age when they are forming views on their career paths.”

J.E.E.P is supported by a host of industry partners including Helistrat, SMI Workwear, Electric Centre, Westbury Filtermation, Trinity Security and Fire and Diversey.

ABM UK is calling for more schools and industry partners to get in touch and be part of the 2019 programme. For more details about ABM’s Junior Engineering Engagement Programme (J.E.E.P) visit www.jeep-abm.org

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: Smart lockers with software that allows you to manage access wherever you are
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No more money spent managing lost keys. Usage data to help you improve space utilisation. That’s why Deloitte, Selfridges and Xerox love Simplicity.

Simplicity lockers open with your building access card. They can be set to work with either a central control panel, or by touching the access card against the door. Users can also access their storage using our smartphone app.

The lockers work on a traffic light system. A red light indicates the locker is occupied and a green light shows it’s available. Each lock has an LED light to make it easier to see the contents. It also has a USB charger for charging your phone or tablet in your locker (up to 600 Ma max).

Simplicity also comes with ReleezMe software. This allows you to manage your lockers wherever you are. An essential tool for those facilities managers responsible for more than one site.

The software also allows you to:

  • Set rules for who can access certain sets of lockers and when.
  • Track locker usage and generate reports.
  • Send automated notifications to users.

Find out more: Simplicity ReleezMe

Do you offer Business Continuity services? We want to hear from you!
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Each month on FM Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the facilities management market – and in December we’ll be focussing on Business Continuity services.

It’s all part of our new ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help FM industry buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you’re a supplier of Business Continuity services and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Haydn Boxall on h.boxall@forumevents.co.uk.

Biometrics & Technology in focus at the Total Security Summit
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The next Total Security Summit takes place April 1st & 2nd 2019, with Biometrics and Technology high on the agenda of delegates.

The Summit is a highly focused event that brings security professionals together for one-to-one business meetings, interactive seminars and valuable networking opportunities.

Throughout two working days delegates will meet with credible solution providers who will be able to talk through requirements, concerns and obstacles, offering the best advice as well cost saving solutions.

And for April’s event, the following services will be showcased for the first time by leading solution providers:

Artificial Intelligence

Drone Technology

Facial Recognition

Finger Print Recognition

Iris Recognition

Smart Sensors

Voice Recognition

That’s in addition to the regular products and services at the event, encompassing everything from fencing & CCTV to access control and business continuity.

Attendees will also learn about the latest security trends in educational seminar sessions led by some of the industry’s leading lights – If you would like to contribute as a speaker on any of the above or wider topics, contact Kirsty Groves on k.groves@forumevents.co.uk.

To secure a complimentary delegate place, call Leanne Webster on 01992 374066 or email leanne.webster@forumevents.co.uk.

To attend as a supplier, call Haydn Boxall on 01992 374084 or email h.boxall@forumevents.co.uk.

For more information, visit www.totalsecuritysummit.co.uk.

Repositioning FM in the eyes of the business world
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Join your peers at the Facilities Management Forum and you’ll have the opportunity to learn about future trends in the FM sector.

This unique two-day event takes place on January 28th& 29that the Radisson Blu Hotel, London Stansted and is entirely FREE for you to attend.

Your VIP pass includes access to a series of seminars by industry thought-leaders. These sessions include:

Workplace Opportunity– Chris Moriarty, Director of Insight at the Institute of Workplace & Facilities Management (formerly BIFM)

  • Exploring FM’s evolution and where it lost its ‘why’
  • Does FM pass the ‘celery challenge’? Do we practice what we preach?
  • The power of reframing; re-positioning FM in the eyes of the business world
  • The skills challenge
  • The Workplace Opportunity and how it can shape the next evolutionary phase of the FM profession 

Leadership, Investment and Impact in Health & Safety – Karl Simons, Chief Health, Safety & Security Officer at Thames Water

  • Creating an effective risk visualisation framework that steers focus & investment from the top
  • Implementing a supply chain engagement model that enables H&S to become a catalyst for change
  • Fashioning waves of initiatives that increase and sustain active engagement levels throughout the company
  • Maximising the impact from presenting the metrics you monitor

The Facilities Management Forum will also allow you to meet, face-to-face, with innovative and budget-saving suppliers and network with peers. All hospitality – including overnight accommodation, meals and refreshments, plus an invitation to our gala dinner with entertainment – is complimentary.

Add your name to the list by accepting our VIP invitation here.

For more information on attending as a delegate, contact Paige Aitken on 01992 374079 or email p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk.

Or to attend as an industry supplier, contact Sam Walker on 01992 374054 or email s.walker@forumevents.co.uk.

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: FSI – CAFM Software
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Established in 1990, FSI is a global-leader in CAFM software, with offices in the UK, Australia, Dubai, Canada and Hong Kong, plus an international partner network.

FSI has been a major influence on CAFM/IWMS technology for the built environment, delivering a truly versatile business tool.

FSI focuses on developing integrated workplace systems to enhance the client experience, and the Concept range helps to boost productivity, streamline business processes, support improved performance and increase profitability, in organisations of every type and size.

Concept Evolution: Core CAFM solution, merging powerful functionality with sophisticated technology to extend Facilities Management (FM) across borders, optimising process efficiency, accuracy and productivity throughout the lifecycle.

FSI GO: Mobile Application solution, extending the functionality of Concept Evolution and third party integrated systems to your mobile workforce.  The FSI GO app is available to download from the Apple, Windows and Google Play stores.

Concept Advantage: Suite of Apps, designed to encourage the entire workplace community to contribute to the success of the facilities they occupy. Connecting Concept Evolution CAFM technology to the business via end users and their mobile devices.

Effective and successful FM is put directly in the hands of all those on the receiving end, promoting a positive workplace environment and enhancing corporate wellbeing. The Apps and their container can be branded to make them your own. Functionality can be tailored to suit end users.

www.fsifm.com

BIFM begins transition to IWFM
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The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) has commenced its transition to become the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM), with the full changeover to its new brand in effect from November 19th.

Staff have been working behind the scenes to make the transition to IWFM since members voted for the name change at the AGM in July.

The current BIFM website will be offline from Friday, November 16th while the switch is made to a new site, while more products and services will be online and a part of the IWFM brand in the following weeks.

BIFM says that transitioning to the IWFM is a defining strand of its ambition to reframe facilities management, emphasising its ability to make a real contribution to the performance of organisations – more value creator, less cost centre.

If any member needs to speak to the Institute urgently while the transition is taking place, you can call them on +44 (0) 1279 712 620.

Global corporates ‘want flexible office space’
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Two thirds of global corporates plan to increase their use of flexible co-working and collaborative space over the next three years, according to new research.

Knight Frank’s ‘Your Space’ report polled senior executives at 120 global companies which collectively employ in excess of 3.5 million people worldwide and occupy an estimated 233 million sq ft of office space, equivalent to the total amount of office space in Central London.

The reports shows global corporates intend to operate increasingly from flexible, serviced and co-working spaces, which, they says, create a more collaborative working environment and offer the freedom to expand and contract quickly according to market conditions.

The reports says that despite the proliferation of co-working and serviced office operators the majority of global corporates still occupy office space on a traditional lease model. Two thirds of companies surveyed reported that co-working, serviced and flexible office space comprise 5 per cent or less of their current office space. A small minority, less than 7 per cent, said that flexible workspace exceeds a fifth of their total workspace.

However, Knight Frank’s research reveals that the proportion of flexible space within companies’ portfolios is set to increase dramatically. Over two thirds, 69 per cent, of global corporates plan to increase their utilisation of co-working spaces, and 80 per cent expect to grow the amount of collaborative space they use over the next three years.

Furthermore, almost half (44 per cent), stated that flexible space will constitute up to a fifth of all office space in the next three years. An additional 16 per cent estimated that as much as half of their workspace globally would be flexible space within the same time period.

Over half of companies (55 per cent) identified increased flexibility as the main driver of this change, with a significant proportion (11 per cent) stating that the sense of community fostered among workers was the key benefit. A further 11 per cent stated that the greater speed to becoming operational was the primary reason for selecting co-working or serviced office space ahead of more conventional office space.

75 per cent of respondents stated that personal productivity linked to wellbeing and happiness, would increase as they shift towards a new flexible and collaborative model of occupancy that is more in keeping with today’s business structures and working styles.

Dr Lee Elliott, Global Head of Occupier Research at Knight Frank, said: “This research underlines that a decade of global economic uncertainty has reshaped how many of the world’s largest companies view workspace. Shorter business planning horizons, together with the emergence of new, more agile corporate structures has driven demand for flexible space which enables companies to react to change quickly.”

“While co-working and serviced office operators have grown rapidly over the past five years, driven largely by start-ups and the freelance economy, this is only the tip of the iceberg with latent demand from global companies set to emerge over the next three years.”

William Beardmore-Gray, Global Head of Occupier Services and Commercial Agency at Knight Frank, added: “The demand for flexibility is the single biggest threat – and opportunity – to owners of office space. The recent boom in co-working is indicative of a structural change within commercial real estate whereby companies desire space that is flexible, highly serviced and aligned within the realities of doing business in an age of disruption. Some co-working operators have capitalised on this already, but it is imperative that owners and developers react to the new reality where customer is king.”