In a world increasingly driven by technology and digitization, the built environment remains a fundamental part of human life. Every hospital, school, high-rise, warehouse, and government facility requires the dedicated oversight of skilled professionals. Facility Management (FM), once seen as a behind-the-scenes necessity, is now being recognized as a vital profession. Yet the path to entering this career is often non-linear and deeply personal.

The Path into the Profession

Unlike more traditional career routes, most Facility Management professionals do not start their careers with FM in mind. Many arrive through engineering, construction, custodial work, operations, or military service. Some individuals enter the industry by responding to job postings that list the title as “maintenance technician” or “building engineer.” Others grow up in a skilled trades household, following in the footsteps of parents or mentors who taught them the importance of craftsmanship and operational excellence.

What draws people in, often unknowingly at first, is the tangible impact they have on the spaces where people live, work, heal, and learn. FM professionals come to realize that their work has a direct impact on comfort, safety, sustainability, and functionality. That awareness of being the invisible hand behind a functioning space is where the passion often begins.

Passion for the Built Environment

There is a unique pride in managing the life cycle of a building. Facility professionals are systems thinkers connected to how heating, cooling, lighting, water, and safety systems integrate to serve people. They often speak of the built environment in terms of stewardship, caring for something larger than themselves that serves entire communities.

Passion in this field is not always flashy, but it is enduring. FM’s may be found in troubleshooting a failing HVAC system during a hospital emergency, leading a retrofit that dramatically reduces energy consumption, or preserving the integrity of a century-old structure.

This passion needs cultivation. Workforce development in facility management must extend beyond technical training; it needs to emphasize mentorship, career mapping, and opportunities for leadership development. As the current workforce ages, the need for storytelling, hands-on training, and early exposure in schools and trade programs is critical.

What Keeps People in the Industry

A sense of purpose often drives longevity in FM. Facility professionals know they are essential. During crises, pandemics, and power outages, they are frontline responders. They are also increasingly recognized as key players in sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) strategies. The shift toward smart buildings, carbon reduction, and resilience has transformed FM into a space of innovation and long-term career growth.

Supportive work cultures, professional certifications (such as those offered by IFMA), and a clear path to advancement are essential for retaining talent. When organizations invest in training and mentorship for FM roles, they not only create workers but advocates for the built environment.

More Than a Job

Facility Management is more than a job; it is a profession built on pride, stewardship, and problem-solving. To create a sustainable workforce, we must honor the stories of how people enter the industry, elevate the passion that drives them, and invest in tools that encourage them to stay.

The buildings around us are only as strong as the people who care for them. Workforce development in Facility Management must be treated with the same respect and intentionality we give to the buildings themselves built to last, designed to grow, and sustained by passion.

As we explore the evolving landscape of Facility Management, particularly within the State of Colorado, we invite your insights and experiences. Your feedback is vital to advancing the industry and strengthening the foundation on which our communities thrive.

Published in IFMADenver July 2025 Newsletter

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