Managing the working environment for an organisation's employees and services within industrial and commercial buildings.
This occupation is found in small and medium enterprises, large and multinational organisations in private and public sectors. For example: housing, health, social care, energy, hospitality, education, commercial properties, leisure, and retail. It is found in organisations where the management of multi-disciplinary activities, within the built environment, impact upon people and the workplace. At a corporate level, facilities management contributes to the delivery of strategic and operational objectives. On a day-to-day level, effective facilities management activities are vital to the performance and success of any organisation, whatever its size and scope.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to supervise a team of facilities management staff to provide a safe and efficient working environment. Facilities management encompasses hard, soft, total or integrated functions. Services labelled as hard are estate or building management. Services called soft are catering, cleaning, administration, and security. Total facilities management can be the process of combining and integrating all facility management services into a single contract. As a facilities management supervisor it is vital to contribute towards health and safety regulations and organisational or contractual procedures. They need to achieve agreed key performance indicators and meet service level agreements. They will supervise a team, delegating duties and responsibilities. The team must always maintain high standards of performance meeting clients, customers and building users. They need good communication skills to resolve customer service queries. Analytical skills are required for monitoring customer service issues. They will identify reoccurring issues, problem-solving and then implementing solutions to improve services. There will be involvement in continuous improvement of systems and processes to ensure procedures, policies and guidance are updated. These can relate to emerging and technological advancements, legislative and social changes. As a supervisor they will contribute towards the development and wellbeing of the team.
In their daily, work an employee in this occupation interacts with their clients, the public or building users to ensure the service provided meets their needs. They will work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders. Within an organisation they could work with the senior leadership team, procurement and supply chain, sales and marketing, and human resources staff. Working on sustainability plans with continuous improvement teams to improve the organisation's carbon footprint on their net-zero journey. They could interact with the finance and audit departments to ensure accurate reporting. External stakeholders can include suppliers, logistics and transportation providers, contractors, and the emergency services. They would typically report to a facilities manager or head of facilities.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the safety of themselves and their team when conducting daily activities. Always aiming to ensure the safety of the public and building users. They will be responsible for carrying out and reviewing risk assessment plans. Supporting and reviewing the budget and the costs of the facilities management service to meet financial targets. Facilities management supervisors will monitor and adhere to appropriate building governance and compliance standards.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 18 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
A project with a project report with presentation and questions
You will be asked to complete a project report. The title and scope will be agreed with the EPAO at the gateway. As part of the project, you need to write a project report and submit this to the EPAO. The project report should be a maximum of 2500 (with a 10% tolerance).
You will have 8 weeks to complete the project and submit the project report to the EPAO.
You need to prepare and give a presentation to an independent assessor. Your presentation slides and any supporting materials should be submitted at the same time as the project output. The presentation with questions will last at least 45 minutes. The independent assessor will ask at least 5 questions about the project and presentation.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 30 minutes. They will ask you at least 4 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
The EPAO will confirm where and when each assessment method will take place.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Occupational standard, end-point assessment plan and funding band revised | 01/01/2024 | Not set |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 17/02/2017 | 31/12/2023 |
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