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Is facilities management for you?

There are a wide variety of jobs available in the facilities management industry and many of them now offer full time opportunities, including street cleaning, caretakers and car valets. Working in offices, hospitals or outdoors; the facilities management industry could be for you.

Whether you become an office cleaner, pest control technician, hospital, supermarket or private household cleaner, there’s plenty of choice in the type of job you could do.

Here are some positive comments from real people currently working in the facilities management industry:

Susan Mitchell, Business Owner

"I started as one of the team. Now I supervise a team for my own company."

Lee Harper, Car Valet

"It’s great seeing all your hard work pay off - and when the sun shines it’s a real bonus to work outdoors."

Facilities management: the facts

People often have fixed ideas about different jobs. But it’s always important to get the facts. Here are some common misconceptions answered by the real facts:

• "Cleaning has limited prospects" - it’s possible to start as a cleaner and work your way up through the ranks - the Chief Executive of the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) started out as a cleaner
• "Cleaning jobs are all part-time" - many more cleaning jobs now offer full-time opportunities and even more are becoming that way, for example, street cleaning, caretakers and car valets all offer full-time work
• "People in this sector work on their own" - this depends on the size of the company, for example, cleaners can work on their own, or in small teams -often a small team will be led by a supervisor, who will in turn report to a line manager; self-employed cleaners and pest control technicians will often work alone
  

Advantages of working in the facilities management industry

There are many advantages to working in facilities management including:

• excellent opportunities - there are a wide range of jobs available, both full and part-time
• flexibility - part-time opportunities mean you can often fit in work around other commitments
• varied working conditions - working in offices, hospitals or outdoors
• good prospects - a good place to gain management experience
  

Real-life examples

Naheem Madhok, School Caretaker

"I started out as the assistant caretaker, but when the head caretaker retired I got the job. I didn’t have any qualifications when I started, but I’ve been working hard towards getting an NVQ in facilities management. I love the variety of my job - no two days are the same! I now earn about £16,500."

Phil Reilly, Pest Control Technician

"My job is really interesting and varied. Pests are here to stay - so we always need fresh talent to battle the bugs. Whether I’m controlling insects, rats or mice, it’s great to see happy faces when I make someone’s home or office safe and secure from pests. I’ve now got lots of experience and earn £25,000."

Careers advice and job profiles

You can find more information about specific job roles within facilities management by using the careers advice and job profiles link below:

• General and personal services job profiles Opens new window

Find a job in this sector

Find out more about training and careers in the facilities management industry by visiting the websites below:

• British Institute of Cleaning Science Opens new window

• British Pest Control Association Opens new window

• Asset Skills Opens new window

• The Recruitment and Employment Confederation Opens new window

To search for jobs available in this sector, use the 'Start a jobs and skills search' link below or talk to a Jobcentre Plus adviser by calling 0845 606 0234.

They can also tell you what help and support is available to you to help you into work.

• Start a jobs and skills search Opens new window

• Help and advice when applying for a job

• Contact Jobcentre Plus