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University of Texas Professional Development Center Offers New Credential Program for Facility Managers
AUSTIN, Texas, March 7, 2012 -- The Professional Development
Center (PDC), a component of the Division of Continuing and
Innovative Education (CIE) at The University of Texas at
Austin, announces the launch of a new training program in
the fast-growing field of facility management. The Facility
Management Professional (FMP) Credential Program provides
the necessary training and examinations to enable facility
managers to earn an important FMP credential, a designation
that prepares its holders to perform as highly skilled,
authoritative facility managers. The FMP credential program
is presented by PDC through the International Facility
Management Association (IFMA).
Facility managers are responsible for overseeing upgrades
and the day-to-day maintenance of buildings, offices or work
spaces, including the building essentials people need for
working and living comfortably such as electricity,
technology access, air-conditioning, heat, elevators, and
much more. Facility management integrates principles of
business administration, architecture, and behavioral and
engineering sciences.
"We at PDC are delighted to team with IFMA to offer this
credential program to Austin area professionals involved or
concerned with the safe, comfortable and functional
relationship between human beings and the spaces they
inhabit," said Liliya Spinazzola, director of the PDC. "We
invite all Facility Managers, and those interested in
entering this field, to enroll in this program and improve
their knowledge, enhance their skills and gain immediate
credibility with employers, clients and peers."
"From this program, students take away the essential
knowledge they need to pass the Facility Management
Professional exam and earn this important credential," says
Michael Miller, one of the program's instructors. "More
importantly, this program gives them an understanding of
facilities management that will help them effectively
perform the duties of facility managers." Miller, a
registered professional engineer, is the Director of
Facilities Services for The University of Texas at Austin,
where he is responsible for a $45 million budget and over
800 employees. He oversees custodial, facilities
maintenance, recycling, sustainability, and landscape
operations for the main and Pickle Research campuses.
The program is made up of six Friday evening courses and six
all-day Saturday classes offered on the campus of The
University of Texas at Austin over an eleven-week period.
Classes begin April 13. The program curriculum consists of:
-- Operations and Maintenance: Gain a working knowledge of
building systems, structure, interiors, exteriors and
grounds so that a facility's required systems function
efficiently, reliably, safely and in a manner consistent
with existing regulations and standards.
-- Project Management: Project planning and management are
core skills in facility management, including planning,
scoping, scheduling and evaluating facility projects.
Projects studied vary in complexity, duration and financial
risk.
-- Finance and Business Essentials: Get an overview of the
financial investments associated with facility management.
Also covers service contracts and vendor relations.
-- Leadership and Strategy Essentials: Develop strategies to
successfully execute major projects and initiatives, respond
to changing needs, and influence decision makers. Learn to
integrate people, place, processes and technology so that
facility services align with the entire organization's
mission and available resources.
More information, including how to register, is found online
at
http://www.utexas.edu/ce/pdc/certificate/facilities-management/.
About the Professional Development Center:
The Professional Development Center (PDC), an enterprise of
the Division of Continuing and Innovative Education at The
University of Texas at Austin, offers a wide range of
programs and courses designed to help individuals and
organizations around the world improve personal,
professional and organizational performance. To meet this
goal, PDC offers high-quality non-credit courses,
professional certificate programs, consulting, coaching, and
facilitation services, both online and on the university
campus. http://www.utexas.edu/ce/pdc/.
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