The skills gap, the aging nature of the workforce, and the diversity of its people are all long-recognised issues in the FM sector in the UK. As we achieve our 15th year of operations – a period of consecutive growth, achieved by solely focusing on the needs of customers – we are turning our attention to the challenges of the next 15 years, and this is the first of three articles that will uncover these.
The three core areas are:
- Learning and Development
- Social Value and Impact
- Sustainability
With skills gaps being one of the biggest threats to the industry, one of the ways in which we work to protect the future of our services is through learning and development.
Filling the skills gap is the most vital thing the sector needs to do over the medium term.
The key is innovation, and not thinking about careers as linear. One such initiative is our current Traineeship programme that offers solutions to technician shortages within the cooling sector, by cross-skilling colleagues in other disciplines; and then applying management training to allow people to move up the ranks.
In May 2023, we officially opened a new, multi-purpose National Training Centre in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. A one-of-a-kind facility in FM, this £500,000 investment focuses on upskilling and cross-skilling one of the largest mobile engineering fleets in the country
The centre allows our training team to support our growing crop of apprentices, upskill new recruits and provide more opportunities to those who have entrusted their careers to us.
The 17,000 sqft complex is set up in a variety of training modules such as carpentry, plumbing, and masonry as part of our building fabric services. FGAS, C02, HVAC and BMS diagnostics and repairs, and more, are also on offer and sit within the mechanical, electrical, and refrigeration disciplines.
Arcus FM is facing into these challenges so that our customers can be safe in the knowledge their service, estates and reputation are protected for the long-term.
To see what else we’re doing to deliver for our customers, and how we do it, head to www.arcusfm.com
