Richard Byatt's Blog

The professions are experiencing major change - in status, in economic prospects, in public perception. Increasing specialisation is a key feature of this change, as generic professions steadily fragment. This is most notable in medicine - from barber surgeon to consultant paediatric neurosurgeon in 700 years or so. In 1880 there were just 27 professional associations, now there are more than 300.

The current status of some professions was not always the case. Sir Paul Judge, speaking at a PARN conference on The Future of the Professions, said, "The parson might just possibly dine with the squire but few landed gentry welcomed their lawyer or doctor to their table."

Recognition and respect is hard won and can be easily lost, as politicians, bankers and journalists have recently discovered.

According to Judge, all professions have conflicting motives of public service and self-interest. In an age of democracy, transparency and competition, the perceived privileges of many professions is under attack. In some quarters they are seen as vested interests - George Bernard Shaw's "conspiracy against the laity" - trade unions for the elite if you like.

Professional bodies have traditionally policed their members competence and behaviour - self regulation. In an increasingly litigious era this has become less tenable. As Judge put it: "Professionals can no longer expect or demand blind trust from consumers. Consumers seek to understand the reasons for the advice and to test claims of professional competence."

In many professions, regulation and representation have been clearly separated. The 2007 Legal Services Act prescribed that independent regulatory arms be created for the Law Society and certain other legal services associations. Now, the independent Solicitors Regulation Authority deals with all regulatory and disciplinary matters, and sets, monitors and enforces standards for solicitors across England and Wales, acting solely in the public interest.

Closer to home, "architect" is a protected title in European law. Many are represented by the Royal Institute of British Architects but they are regulated by the Architects Registration Board. "Chartered surveyor" (and five variants such as chartered building surveyor) is a protected title but surveying is not a regulated profession.

In fact there are around 90 regulated professions. Unsurprisingly the majority are in healthcare, such as doctor, radiographer or physiotherapist. Others include school teacher, solicitor, approved driving instructor, registered gas installer and public space surveillance operative - yes, the person that monitors the CCTV at your local shopping mall is a "professional".

In Judge's "doomsday scenario" the professions are left behind as regulation becomes the responsibility of national inspectorates and "professional courts"; European licensing replaces national accreditation; and they are outflanked by competition and technology in providing services to members.

So where does all this leave facilities management and the organisations that claim to represent it?

Facilities management is undoubtedly a hybrid - an amalgam of technical competence, management skills, small 'p' political awareness and experience. In this it is not much different from many occupations. The debate around FM's claims to be a profession seem to centre on the "body of knowledge" test. Is there a core to facilities management that every FM who aspires to be a "professional" should understand and on which they should be assessed?

The answer is a qualified yes and BIFM, through a complete recasting of its qualifications, has put down a marker here. Those seeking the Institute's Level 4, 5 and 6 qualifications must demonstrate understanding across a wide range of topics, from health and safety to risk management; from customer service to financial management.

The mandatory units at each level were debated and agreed by employers across the sector, with the aim of identifying the core areas that FMs need, regardless of whether they are working in house or for an FM provider.

The only caveat is that the wide range of FM roles and responsibilities (part of what makes it such an attractive career) means that flexibility is both logical and necessary.

BIFM has deliberately realigned its grades of membership to underline the importance of acquiring knowledge, alongside experience. But a profession is more than an academic framework or a body of knowledge. It is also about modes of behaviour, ethics if you will, and a commitment to professional development.

These cannot be imposed but must be nurtured. FM does not have a strong tradition of CPD for example but the enthusiastic response to informal learning opportunities suggests that this will come.

BIFM is neither a charity nor a chartered body but any organisation representing a significant number of professionals must have regard to the public interest. The Institute is regularly engaged in shaping public policy and professional practice through direct contact with Government and liaison with other sector bodies.

Subjects covered include a planned new EU directive on energy, the Green Deal, internships, service standards for FM in Government, contract cleaning issues and ethical workplaces. More recently BIFM has involved members in this work through a number of public affairs panels.

A profession is also a community and here the BIFM is particularly strong. Possibly because many are working in relative isolation, our members really appreciate the opportunity to network with their peers, both physically and virtually.

The Institute also makes a point of reaching out to other professions, including engineers, architects, building managers and surveyors. For example, at RICS' invitation, BIFM's Catering and Hospitality SIG recently provided expert comment on the RICS draft guidance note on catering services.

Facilities management is clearly a young discipline and has developed in a different context and climate from the longer-established professions. There is an opportunity to combine the best of the traditional approach with new ways to advance the profession. With the support of its members, the goodwill of the wider FM community and the active cooperation of allied professionals BIFM will strive to do just this.

This article first appeared in FMX magazine