The FMP is designed for:

·       early to mid-career facility management practitioners

·       those transitioning into an FM career

·       partner practitioners (architects, designers, safety engineers, etc.)

·       associated corporate providers of FM products & services

·       students entering the profession from FM related studies

The FMP will help you develop critical knowledge in the areas of:

·         Operations & Maintenance

·         Project Management

·         Finance & Business Essentials

·         Leadership and Strategy Essentials

The CFM is designed:

·         for experienced FM practitioners with proven competency in the 9 core areas and pass the competency based exam covering:

o        Planning & Project Management

o        Operations & Maintenance

o        Real Estate

o        Quality Assessment & Innovation

o        Leadership & Management

o        Human & Environmental Factors

o        Finance

o        Communication

o        Technology

·         For those that meet the eligibility requirements of education and experience

·         The CFM designation must be renewed every 3 years. You must demonstrate a continued commitment to growth & excellence by earning maintenance points in at least 2 of the following categories:

o        Practice

o        Continuing education

o        Professional involvement

o        Development of the profession

·         You can go to IFMA.org and take an on-line CFM practice Exam for a fee of $80US (members) and $160US (non-members). There are 108 questions which will show you results by competency area. This will help you focus on the core competency areas you need to strengthen to attain your CFM. The practise exam will show you the score of your test, however, the actual CFM exam will only show pass/fail. You can also go to IFMA.org to read up on what subject matters compromise each of the courses.

·         IFMA is in the process of re-evaluating all the CFM courses. They intend to have the revised ones ready in 2013.

The SFP is designed for professionals with an interest in sustainable practices. It is ideal for:

·         facility management practitioners with a baseline of FM industry knowledge

·         FM professionals with proven experience transitioning into sustainability related positions

·         partner practitioners (architects, designers, safety engineers, etc.)

·         associated corporate providers of FM products & services

·         CFM’s and FMP’s interested in expanding their depth of expertise in the area of sustainable facility management

·         this designation is provided through three comprehensive courses:

o        Strategy and Alignment for Sustainable Facility Management

o        Managing Sustainable Facilities

o        Operating Sustainable Facilities

Most of the training for any of the designations is available through on line modules or through in class training. Each has an assessment that is to be completed at the end which must be successful to obtain the credential.

The SPF has a convenient self-study program. If offered in class, all three courses must be taken together (6 days). All other courses, for the CFM and FMP are also offered in class (2 days). Various chapters offer courses throughout the year. At World Work Place (WWP), the annual convention & trade show, courses are offered just prior to the convention, for your convenience. Each course or module has a cost to it, which varies depending on what you take and where you take it.

Should you have any further questions about any of the credentials that IFMA offers, you can contact Jeanne Hunter, CFM, Designation Liaison for the Regina Chapter of IFMA.

see survey results

The board would like to address some of the specific concerns raised therein:

• “We need to have more events in Saskatoon” - Freda Salikin, our Saskatoon Liaison, has been working very hard to accomplish this. In December, our Saskatoon members were invited to a networking reception. A Saskatoon FM Round Table is being planned for March 9.

• “I might like to see a directory of sorts that identifies all of the active IFMA members..” - we launched an online directory in 2009 to fill this very need. This is a password protected directory. Simply select the “Directory” tab on our site. Your user name is your first initial and last name, all lower case with no space (eg. cweir). Your password is your membership number. If you do not know your membership number, please email ifmaregina@accesscomm.ca You can help us keep this directory up to date by informing us when your contact information changes.

• “Would like to see a more consistent luncheon speaker program” and “is there a chance we could have access to a CFM testing centre in Regina”- these will be considered by the board at strategic planning.

• “..there is only a rotation of current bard members and no introduction of new members to the board” - our structure is such that the board is elected for a 2 year term, all turning over on July1 of odd numbered years. Because of this timing, requests for nominations only occur once bi-annually. The lack of new members is the direct result of the lack of volunteers. One new member, Crystal Laverdiere (nee Heard), joined the board in 2009. An official request will be sent this spring, but any nominees for 2011-2012 would be welcome.

Meet Dan Swerhone, CFM

• Employer:  University of Saskatchewan

• Job Title:  Director, Operations and Maintenance, Facility Management Division

• Employment History:  Senior Manager / Acting Director for Facilities and Engineering Services at Saskatoon Health Region for 5 years, prior to that District Manager for Saskatchewan with Waste Management Inc

• Something Dan learned through taking the core competencies: Interesting information in the Technology Section, it kind of supported the trend we are seeing in our workplace.

• A little known fact about Dan: Recently had a saxophone come back into my life which caused me to get back to playing more piano and saxophone with some friends and family.

The facilities staff of 27 is responsible for administrative and facilities services for 600 staff and contractors in all Saskatoon premises.