UT Austin's Professional Development Center Offers New Credential Program for Facility Managers

AUSTIN, Texas, March 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 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/.  

Contact: Wayne Wenske, Division of Continuing and Innovative Education, 512-232-7392, [email protected]

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SOURCE Professional Development Center