Robert Ratcliffe

Head of House Services, Aberystwyth University

Studied: BIFM Level 4 Diploma in Facilities Management

BIFM recognised centre: Xenon Group

Which optional units did you complete?

FM4.21 Procurement and contract management for FM
FM4.17 Property, fabric and building services maintenance for FM
FM4.09 Performance measurement in FM
FM4.15 Managing customer service in FM
FM4.19 Sustainability and environmental issues and the impact on FM
FM4.03 People Management in Facilities Management

Start/end date of programme: Feb 10 - March 11

What was your reason for taking the qualification?
In the absence of a formal organisational CPD process I wanted to undertake a qualification that would be relevant in today’s climate, bring real benefits to my current organisation and any potential future employers. Facilities Management seemed to be the best avenue to provide the knowledge and skills in meeting my requirements.

Did you consider other FM qualifications?
I chose the BIFM qualifications because it seemed to offer the best solution for continuing progression. Starting with a level 4 Diploma to give me a comprehensive view of the varying elements and delivery techniques associated with FM and also in the various sectors in which it operates.
By undertaking further qualifications on the scheme allows for a more strategic development plan and the ability to chose specific units to best compliment my role the organisation and the operations it undertakes.

How did you find the experience of studying for the qualification?
I undertook the qualification by attending 2 -3 day workshops dedicated to a given unit and held once a month. The attendees were brought together from all sectors Public, private, and voluntary and from all sizes and types of organisations from Blue chip multi national, to commercial total FM providers, education establishments and voluntary organisations.

The ensuing dicussions and at times debates gave added value and certainly created for me a better understanding of FM any its many facets as well as how they related to the sector in which they operated. There was also the guidance and experience of the tutor and his many years of FM involvement who was always ready to share his experiences.

How has achieving the qualification helped in your current role?
I believe that my qualification has provided me with a USP, in that i am the only person in my organisation with the new FM qualification. The units covered and the fact i can demostrate that the range of topics covered in depth, through the required learning criteria and the assignments has contributed to me being assigned to my current position.

How will achieving the qualification help in your career?
I know that by undertaking this and future BIFM qualifications it will bring ongoing benefits both in my current role and any roles going forward. I will undertake further FM qualifications in tandem with my professional development and can tailor them to what ever role requirements may develop.

Have you put into practice new knowledge and/or skills? If so, how and what were the results?
I use the knowledge and understanding i have gained every day. In the current financial climate i believe that FM has a huge role to play in helping companies develop a more sustainable business model no matter what the sector or the organisation. FM is about bring the various elements of business together to work in conjunction with each other and ensure the needs of its customers and stakeholders are met in the most effective and efficient way.

How has it helped the success of your organisation/department?
It is very early days at the moment but i do believe that it will bring benefits to my new department and the organisation as whole. As the undertsandfing of FM and the benefits it can deliver from both an operational and financial point of view are cascaded to colleagues both departmentally and organisationally.

Would you recommend the BIFM qualifications to others, and if so why?
Yes absolutely, there are many qualification routes that could be taken. The new range of BIFM qualifications allows you to a focus from a FM perspective but also has the versatility to allow you to tailor your qualification to obtain maximum benefit by chosing from the various optional units to suit you or your organisationals requirements. FM qualifications ensure that FM principles are followed and developed and give credence to those who truly believe in facilities management as a profession and promoting the benefits both operationally and economically to an organisation.

What’s the next step?
I intened to undertake a level 5 next as I believe that would help me in my current role. Enabling me to decide on which units to undertake to bring maximum benefit to my current role and its associated duties, to the organisation and my own personal development.

Any other comments?
In the current financial climate I believe that FM has a huge role to play in helping companies develop a more sustainable business model no matter what the sector or the organisation. FM is about bring the various elements of an organisation together to work operationally in conjunction with each other and ensure the needs of its customers and stakeholders ar met in the most effective and efficent way bring sustainable success to the organisation.

Find out more about BIFM Qualifications

To find out more about the different levels and size of qualifications in facilities management that are available, click on the links below:

Contact us with any questions

If you have any queries about what’s right for you, where to study, and if you’re an employer, how the qualifications can work for your organisation, contact us at:

t: 0845 058 1355
e: qualifications@bifm.org.uk