Veterans To Facilities Management (FM)

Facilities management (FM) is a profession dedicated to supporting people and the built environment — can tell you first hand, it's certainly not a career for the faint-hearted — those who choose to join the industry ensure the functionality, comfort, safety, sustainability and efficiency of the buildings we live and work in and their surrounding infrastructure, it's a dynamic field that offers a challenging and rewarding career path. Often when leaving the military the FM industry is overlooked, I'm on a mission to change that, let's make FM a career of choice!

This is a sector where military veterans can find a great career and excel, because the skills and experience gained in the military can be directly applied to this field. FM is diverse involving a vast array of roles and responsibilities, whether it be leading cleaning teams, providing security, catering for the masses, being responsible for the mechanical and electrical maintenance schedule or health and wellbeing of the buildings and teams.

There's really something for everyone

So you're leaving the military or you've been out sometime, and you're wondering about transferable skills. Military veterans possess a unique set of capabilities that can be directly applied to FM, leadership, problem-solving, and strategic planning are just a few examples of the many skills that are developed in the military and are put to work in FM.

You will likely have an eye for detail

Diligence and attention to detail, are valuable attributes in FM. Facilities managers need to be meticulous in their work to ensure that all aspects of a building or infrastructure are functioning correctly. I'd bet no matter the length of time you served, you have developed the ability to be highly observant and detail-oriented, which can be a great asset.

What about the pressure

I'd be dishonest, if I said this industry comes with out pressure, it's everchanging and you need to be able to think on your feet and act swiftly. In the military, we spend a great deal of time working under pressure, remaining calm in high-stress situations. This ability is essential, where unexpected problems can arise at any time. Veterans are accustomed to working in high-pressure environments, and this experience can be invaluable.

Teamwork, it's a family affair

Serving in the forces is all about teamwork, and creating an inclusive environment. Veterans have experience working with diverse groups of people to achieve a common goal.

FM is a team-oriented field where collaboration is essential, those who've served are well-equipped and can bring their experience of working in diverse teams to facilities management. We know how to work hard, play hard, and reward for a job well done.

Opportunities for Advancement

Opportunities in the world of FM are vast, those interested in pursuing a career in the industry can start in entry-level positions and work their way up the ladder to very senior roles, with the right attitude, a suitable CV, and graft, there is no ceiling to what you can achieve — note my journey from contract manager to managing director.

So what's stopping you? Facilities management is an excellent career choice for military veterans because our skills and experience are highly valued in this field. The transferable skills, attention to detail, ability to work under pressure, teamwork, and opportunities for advancement make facilities management a great career choice.

If you are a military veteran looking for a rewarding career, consider looking for opportunities in facilities management, a great place to start exploring is the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM).