Whether you already work in or are thinking of, it is important to note that Facilities Management is a wide and diverse sector. The Industry Definition describes facilities managers as those who “primarily provide non-core business services that allow buildings and precincts to operate effectively. These include monitoring, planning and management services such as cleaning, gardening, security and maintenance. Industry services are typically provided under contract. For definition, the primary activities of the industry can be defined as:

• Major and minor maintenance services
• Cleaning services
• Workplace safety services
• Accommodation services
• Pest control
• Energy and environmental management

So, as you can see the skills needed to be successful in the roles of facilities management are interesting and diverse.

So where are facilities managers now – in a post-pandemic environment?

The latest research indicates facilities managers have benefited from the private and public sectors’ increasing willingness to outsource non-core business activities and strong demand from the mining and public sectors has amplified this trend. Although negative conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have weighed on facilities managers’ incomes, since the middle of 2022, there has been a significant upswing as WFH practices and temporary delays to elective surgeries for example have been reduced, along with the reduction in intermittent closures of many education providers which eroded demand for facilities managers. However, easing restrictions and the gradual reopening of institutions has benefited the need for facilities management.

This in turn has increased the need for facilities managers, with some clients taking the opportunity to re-organise better contracts. Contracts signed with government agencies can run for many years. For example, Serco began operating Australia’s largest correctional facility, Clarence Correctional Centre, in 2020. Serco is contracted to operate and maintain the facility for at least the next 20 years.

In the broader picture, facilities managers are set to benefit from recovering economic activity and the public sector continuing to outsource services. Moreover, lucrative long-term contracts with large government agencies will provide larger facilities managers with steady income streams for many years. The industry is poised to grow but to remain competitive, both individuals and organisations need to ensure they have the right skills in their facilities team and most importantly have regular succession plans in place as good facilities managers become more employment “mobile”

The skills of a Facility Manager

Cost control: One of the key skills to succeed as a Facilities managers is to control costs. After the impact of the pandemic more and more teams and roles are increasingly focused on procurement to control costs, as expenses are easier to manage when they are part of long-term contracts. Large facilities management firms typically have several purchasing contracts and suppliers, which gives them significant scope to reduce the complexity of their supply arrangements and limit costs, supporting profitability. While individual facilities managers provide a diverse range of services, the industry is still highly fragmented but the demand for skilled facilities managers remains high.

ESG: Additionally, scrutiny in the media over government outsourcing has made some organisations cautious about potentially contracting facilities managers. That’s why facilities managers are tipped to emphasise their ESG profiles to continue acquiring large government contracts and facilities managers are poised to continue changing strategies to maintain competitiveness.

Procurement: Procurement is set to remain a major focus for facilities managers as Intelligent procurement can reduce risk, management costs and purchasing costs.

Technology and Systems: Facilities managers are changing their technologies at a relatively moderate pace. Computer diagnostics on internal equipment allow for accurate and quick maintenance. Project management systems allow firms to easily map out the asset life cycle of facilities and components.

So, what’s next if you want a career in facilities management?

So where does all this lead, when you are considering a career in Facilities Management? Experience is vital and highly regarded but as competition for roles with a wider skill set increases then being able to demonstrate workplace competence in an accredited and nationally recognised way will improve job prospects for an already mobile workforce.

After delivering a non-accredited program to the facilities sector, both UNE Partnerships and Facilities Management Australia (FMA) decided to invest heavily, both time and resources to create a contemporary nationally accredited qualification that was relevant to the skills needed in the sector today and into the future.

The launch of the accredited 10938NAT Diploma of Facilities Management in 2022, was heralded a success. As, the Facility Management Association represents professionals, teams and organisations involved in the strategic and operational management of facilities in both the public and private sectors throughout Australia they were the perfect industry partner for the qualification. Fully staffed by current facilities management professionals the organisation is actively engaged in a wide range of advocacy activities bringing a wealth of expertise to the table.

Now with over 134 enrolments in just over a year, the qualification is going from strength to strength.

But what if you haven’t studied for years?

To remain accessible to as many aspiring facilities employees, UNE Partnerships have developed the entry requirements so that as many people as possible can get ahead in their career with this qualification. The course is 100% online BUT you are never 100% on your own.

Peer group and mentor groups are all part of the qualification and if you get stuck an assessor is at the end of the phone or video call.

Can your experience count?

In many instances, you may have been in the role for several years and perhaps now have the opportunity to step into a more senior or management-based role?

Here is where a process called Recognition of Prior Learning can help.

With the support of an assessor and a trainer, you can work through units providing evidence of your real-world experience which demonstrates competence to the standard required. If you are not sure if this would work for you, give us a call and we can set you up with an assessor for a 15-minute chat completely free of charge to run through your own personal experiences and which units may or may not be suitable.

Or, you can simply dive right in. The course study time is between xx months and xx months but of course it all depends how much time you can put in during the week.

To whet your appetite here are some of the subjects you will cover:

• Budgets and financial plans
• Manage supplier relationships
• Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices
• Develop and manage facility maintenance plans
• Manage projects in the property industry
• Coordinate construction or renovation of facilities

AND, all this backed by the Training and Education company of Australia’s only 5* rated on-line University, the University of New England.

So, are you serious about a career in this interesting and evolving sector.

Then get in touch today with one of course advisor.

A new course designed by industry for senior leaders, managers and HR professionals will highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in a productive workplace. The ‘Developing and Sustaining Diverse and Inclusive Workplaces’ micro-credential is the latest course to be released through the NSW Government’s $37.4 million New Education Training Model (NETM).

The University of New England Partnerships has teamed up with Supporting and Linking Tradeswomen (SALT) to release the course, which commences on 15 August 2022. The course will give learners the opportunity to design and implement bespoke staff recruitment and retention strategies to promote diversity and inclusion in their organisations.

The NETM is a new ‘flipped model’ designed for and by industry that is being rolled out by the Western Parkland City Authority, the NSW Government agency responsible for coordinating infrastructure, investment attraction and job creation in the Western Parkland City.

The partnership between SALT and UNE Partnerships will help build greater workforce participation in western Sydney for women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, particularly in industries like manufacturing. It also supports the Government’s recent Women’s Opportunity Statement, which aims to ensure there are real choices for women to play an equal role in the workforce.

Fi Shewring, President and co-founder of SALT said that the micro-credential will have a wide-reaching impact on industry.

“The Western Parkland City is one of the most diverse places in the world, and with one in three Australian workers born overseas. An inclusive workplace with a diverse range of different backgrounds leads to more innovation, a greater breadth of skills and improved employee engagement and wellbeing.”

UNE Partnerships CEO Benjamin Gilmore, said he is delighted to be given the opportunity to work with SALT and to demonstrate the importance of regional universities and training organisations strengthening the skills base of the WPC. He noted regional cities across Australia have had to develop a strategic approach to maximising participation within their communities given the smaller populations in many of these regions.

“We’re very excited to be working with SALT to deliver this important micro-credential. Diverse and inclusive workplaces play an important role in attracting and retaining productive workforces of the future.”

NETM micro-credentials will be free of charge for learners and their employers during the early stages of the pilot program. The program targets skills gaps in key industries that will help grow productivity across the Western Parkland City.

For more information please visit:

• Developing and Sustaining Diverse and Inclusive Workplaces

This article has been reproduced with permission from:

• Western Parkland City Authority

Spotlight on MPA

The past three years have imposed a significant and sustained burden on the Australian healthcare sector. Our medical receptionists and administrative staff have been the unsung heroes of this story, as they have diligently responded to constantly changing rules, systems, services, and patient needs.

Investment in staff training could be a great way to reward these unsung heroes and to better prepare your practice for whatever new challenges the future may have planned for us. Medical assisting presents a great career pathway to allow your administrative team to get more actively involved with the clinical and medical operations of your practice.

How do you become a Medical Assistant?

UNE Partnerships is a contemporary Registered Training Organisation specialising in nationally accredited courses and qualifications. We enjoy a close working relationship with AAPM and have a suite of unique qualifications aimed at primary healthcare.

The HLT47715 Certificate IV in Medical Practice Assisting provides an opportunity for members of your administrative team to work directly with patients and collaborate with clinicians in the provision of services. Medical Assistants work under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner to assist across a broad range of healthcare and administrative functions. For those that want more variety in their daily duties this qualification provides a pathway to a fulfilling career as a healthcare Practitioner.

We will support your team to complete this program over two years through a combination of online learning, clinical face-to-face workshops, webinars, and the application of practical skills in the workplace.

Get in touch with UNE Partnerships today to learn more about how a medical assistant can benefit your team and your practice.

Levelling the playing field for women

Improving pathways for women’s leadership – and participation – in sport is the end game of a unique program just delivered by UNE in collaboration with NSW Rugby League (NSWRL).

The Women in Sport Leadership Program has sought to empower women leaders in rugby league, rugby union, soccer and wheelchair athletics through a series of workshops and individual mentoring. The first cohort of 13 women heard from head NSW Blues State of Origin coach Brad Fittler and Channel Nine sports presenter Emma Lawrence in two of the four face-to-face workshops that complemented 20 weeks of online learning.

As well as learning the practical theories and principles of coaching, participants discovered how to develop their emotional intelligence, communications and media skills as they mapped out personal and professional goals. The emphasis on inspiring and motivating women athletes is certain to have far-reaching benefits.

An era of growing women’s participation in sport

Chief executive officer of UNE Partnerships, Benjamin Gilmore, says the program provided credit pathways to the Certificate IV in Leadership and Management or Diploma of Leadership and Management. It met an important need in an era of growing women’s participation in sport at the grass-roots and elite level.

“The program was designed to strengthen education and career pathways for women in sport leadership roles,” Benjamin says. “Whether this is junior sport in our regions or semi-professional sport, we hope it has helped to build the skills and confidence women need, thereby providing more career opportunities for them.”

NSWRL Female Pathways Manager and NSW Sky Blues Coach Kylie Hilder, herself a course participant, says the program will have direct applications for her as one of just two women coaching elite rugby league. A former touch football and rugby league player, who has represented her state and Australia, she is committed to helping women to rise to the top of their game.

“I work in a very male-dominated environment in rugby league and we need more women coaches at all levels.”

“I work in a very male-dominated environment in rugby league and we need more women coaches at all levels,” she says. “They need the opportunities, but also the tools to gain the confidence to take up those opportunities. Rugby league is evolving – it’s no longer just about the men – and women are highly capable of assuming leadership roles within women’s and men’s teams.

“As a female player, who has mostly had male coaches, I know that women are wired differently – emotionally and mentally. Understanding how the female mind ticks, and being able to communicate effectively with women, is critical to getting the very best out of them as athletes. What we have learnt during this program will be valuable in our professional but also our personal lives.”

The Women in Sport Leadership program builds on UNE’s long-term partnership with NSWRL, which began in 2019 with sports-related teaching and research programs. The focus on women’s leadership represents an exciting opportunity, according to NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden.

“The Australian sporting sector has the potential to become a leader in gender equity.”

“The Australian sporting sector has the potential to become a leader in gender equity, but to achieve this we need to enhance the recruitment and retention of women leaders, coaches and match officials,” David says. “We hope this program will help enable women to explore greater career opportunities. It not only supports the development of the Women’s Rugby League competition; it promotes the advancement of women into senior coaching and leadership roles in other sports and workplaces, too.”

Shift in thinking

For mother of three Paula (Pauline) Wagner, from Kyogle in northern NSW, the program offered a chance to improve the way she thinks as an individual, coach and community leader. She began coaching her son’s touch football team six years ago and now coaches a female league tag side. But, as a regionally-based league player, she has been frustrated by the lack of pathways for junior and senior competitors.

“Being a part of this leadership program has shifted my thinking, about the kind of leader I want to be and how I handle situations,” says the 2021 NSW Female Community Coach of the Year. “People in regional areas rarely get the chance to have such professional development, and what I have learnt in the past about coaching has almost entirely been from men. It was amazing to learn from other women.

“My goal is to one day coach at the elite level, but for now I want to support my community and women in rural areas, so they get the same opportunities as sportspeople in the cities. Many women would feel more comfortable if they were coached by a woman. If my daughter wants to play sport when she grows up, I want it to be easier than it has been for me for her to follow her dreams.”

Adapting to learning styles and abilities

Advancing women’s leadership also stands to improve equity in sport, according to elite para athlete and athletics coach Julie Charlton. She’s been coaching since the age of 16 and currently works with eight athletes as she completes her Bachelor of Sports Coaching and Management.

“But there are only about 12 para-specific coaches across Australia and few of them are women,” Julie says. “I am passionate about growing my level of emotional intelligence and helping other athletes get through situations that may be hindering their performance. As a coach, you encounter so many different kinds of people, who don’t think the same way and learn and perform the same way. You need to be able to adapt to different styles and ability levels to help them to meet their goals.”

Julie says coaches with a disability don’t readily feel they can take part in leadership coaching of this kind. “It’s an important step in growing the women coaching base across all para sports,” she says. “By doing that, we will encourage more women into a range of sports.”

Given the success of this pilot leadership program, the NSWRL will be offering the program to female coaches from all interested sports across the state in September.

Build a capable and resilient health workforce!

UNE Partnerships is a contemporary Registered Training Organisation specialising in nationally recognised courses and qualifications, with the backing of Australia’s oldest and highest rated regional online university – the University of New England.

We have worked closely with the Australian Association of Practice Management (AAPM) and the health care sector more broadly for more than 30 years, which has culminated in the development of a suite of unique programs in Medical Administration, Medical Assisting and Practice Management.

More recently we have started to deliver traineeship programs to school students to create a skills base for learners to enter the workforce and pursue a career in the health professions. Given the close working relationship we enjoy with our extensive health-based portfolio of clients, we share the pressure arising from the unprecedented amount of change demanded from government and the customer. In order to address these pressures, staff need to be properly trained and equipped to deal with rapid change and this is where UNE Partnerships can assist.

Speak with our partnerships team on how we can assist you in managing change more effectively using the skills and knowledge needed to motivate your team.

We can also offer for a limited time:

• Government funding that reduce course fees*
• Fee-free traineeships for new workers with a 50% wage subsidy paid to employers, as well as other regional financial incentives*
• Customised training that will meet your workplace needs

Example Job Roles: Receptionists, Health Administration, Health Managers, Business Managers and Clerical staff.

• Eligibility criteria apply.

My name is Amber Saltner, I am a proud participant in the first group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and managers, to enrol in the Diploma of Professional Practice Leadership in 2019.

This was possible due to Sandy Robertson from the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) and funding from Health Workforce QLD.

We had to fulfil requirements to prove our determination, suitability and motivation to learn. The study was relevant and challenged us as to why and how we process data and reporting, but there was a big emphasis on planning. We had some great, really informative Face to face lessons from Gary Smith, UNE Partnerships. He was extremely helpful and accommodating to our study needs.

Covid 19, the pandemic was very disruptive to our learning times and UNE Partnerships were very flexible and created webinars and study groups and teams events. It was excellent.

Even having a baby during this study time, I was able to plan and manage my time to complete the qualification, by watching the videos and requesting coaching help.

I enrolled to develop my skill set and apply them in daily operations during work and to assist my community of Cherbourg and surrounds, to better health for the future. This part time, further education study was challenging, I pushed through, adjusted my study plan and was really happy to hand in my last assessment on time.

By completing this qualification, it has given me a more clear understanding of the clinical setting and its operations and all the fundamentals involved, from management of staff to daily operations, this has also given me the confidence to successfully fulfil my duties as a clinic coordinator and further my career in the health sector.

Barbara Meredith Memorial Prize 

The Barbara Meredith memorial prize has been awarded by UNE Partnerships for the past 15 years. The award was established in November 2006 in honour of Professor Geoffrey Meredith’s late wife Barbara. The award was set up to raise the profile of practice management as a career and encourage practice managers to undertake formal study in ‘Practice Management’ qualifications for which Barbara was a strong supporter.

The prize is awarded on Academic merit and requires applicants to demonstrate excellence in their assessment submissions for the certificate and diploma courses in Practice Management.

Applicants are required to prepare and submit a report outlining how the practice management program has produced benefits for their practice. 11 students entered a submission for 2021 with a panel of judges including the Academic Directors of the program Cathy Baynie and Gary Smith awarding the following two prizes.

UNE Partnerships would like to congratulate this year’s Barbara Meredith Memorial prize winner – Elizabeth Akhiwu, Diploma of Professional Practice Leadership and runner up – Jillian Winfield, Certificate IV in Business for Practice Managers.

The University of New England has recognised the distinguished career of Gary Smith by awarding the Degree of Honorary Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa (HonDLitt) .

Gary has made an outstanding contribution to the primary healthcare sector and the professionalisation of practice management over the past 30 years.

Gary manages a large General Practice in Penrith NSW widely recognised and respected because of his selfless commitment and dedication to the advancement of practice management in Australia and overseas. He was once interviewed in one of Australia’s leading medical magazine as the “guru” of Practice Management in Australia.

Gary is a life member of the Australian Association of Practice Management (AAPM) and he has also been UNE Partnerships’ greatest advocate in consolidating our position as a leading provider for general practice and practice management education in Australia.

Gary is passionate about the education and advancement of first nations people and frontline workers. The combination of these passions has seen Gary travel to regional and remote communities to deliver workshops in medical reception, medical practice administration and practice management in collaboration with UNE Partnerships and the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) for the past 12 years.

Of significance, Gary’s Medical Reception program has seen an 89% completion rate over this period, which is almost twice the industry average for Certificate III level programs and almost three times the industry average for ATSI participation in Certificate III level programs.

With a list of achievements far too long to describe today, UNE Partnerships would like to congratulate Gary Smith on another incredible milestone!

For more information:

• Study Health and Community Services at UNE Partnerships

UNE Partnership and Ability First Australia to co-design and deliver Frontline Leadership Diploma!

UNE Partnerships has entered into a contract with Ability First Australia to co-design, develop and deliver a Frontline Leadership Diploma. Ability First Australia is one of the largest not-for-profit strategic alliances comprising 14 of Australia’s leading disability service providers. The organisation represents the interests of around $1 billion worth of support services to over 92,000 people with disability, their families, and carers.

The need for a Front-line Leadership Diploma stems from the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme which has brought significant change to providers, workers and participants in the disability sector. As part of these changes, the roles and responsibilities for the Frontline Leader and many other positions in provider organisations have changed considerably.

To address this industry training need, Ability First Australia received funding under the Australian Government’s Jobs and Market Fund and chose UNE Partnerships to undertake the co-design, development, accreditation with ASQA, and delivery of the pilot. When completed, the qualification will be owned by the Commonwealth and made available to all Registered Training Organisations once the pilot trials have been concluded.

UNE Partnerships would like to congratulate the NSW Government Graduate Program cohort of 2020-21, with 167 graduates celebrating the successful completion of the Diploma of Government in a virtual graduation ceremony on Monday 9 August 2021.

UNE Partnerships is extremely proud of its association with the NSW Government Graduate Program and the role the Diploma of Government plays not only in the success of the Program but in the long-term future of each Graduate.

Professor Michael Wilmore, UNE Partnerships Chairman and UNE Deputy Vice Chancellor described some of the strengths of this contemporary graduate program;

“Today you will add a Diploma of Government to your other tertiary qualifications. While different from university study, we believe the learning experience gained through this Vocational Diploma is a special one.

The focus on practical learning within the work environment complements the critical thinking and analytical skills honed at university. It enables you to apply learning more quickly and empowers the development of broader perspectives on the issues faced by the public services. It means you can make a significant impact at the start of your career, rather than later on.”

UNE Partnerships would like to acknowledge the particularly challenging circumstances the 2020-21 cohort faced whilst undertaking the graduate program, as they were required to balance their work rotations within the NSW Public Service and their study commitments, with the added complexity of extensive lockdowns due to COVID-19.

UNE Partnerships looks forward to continuing this important relationship with the NSW Public Service Commission and we wish all of the graduates every success into the future.

• Learn more about the Diploma of Government from UNE Partnerships:
  https://unep.edu.au/qualification/diploma-of-government/

• Learn More about the NSW Government Graduate Program:
  https://www.psc.nsw.gov.au/workforce-management/recruitment/nsw-government-graduate-program