C&W Services has become the IFMA Foundation’s first charter member to make a five-year commitment to fund its Global Workforce Initiative. The initiative’s purpose is to fill the growing talent gap in the facility management and facility services workforce, due to the fact that over half of today’s FM professionals are expected to retire in the next five to 15 years.
“The IFMA Foundation is pleased to partner with C&W Services for this critical effort to ensure the continued sustainability of the facility management and facility services (FM) profession,” said IFMA Foundation Executive Director Jeff Tafel, in a press release.
“Every day, more organizations are coming to the realization that there is a serious labour shortage on the horizon within the industry and that without decisive action, this shortage will have serious ramifications for the future of their organizations and the economy,” Tafel continued. “As the first charter member of the IFMA Foundation Global Workforce Initiative, C&W Services is making a critical investment in its own future, the future of productive workplaces and the future of those who run them.”
The IFMA Foundation is partnering with impacted industries globally to make facility management and facility services a desired career. The initiative works with educators at all levels to grow the number of accredited FM degree programs available globally, helping to create a clear pathway to a career in facility management.
C&W Services is a provider of janitorial and maintenance services and other facilities services to over 600 clients across North America. The firm, renamed C&W Services following the merger of Cushman & Wakefield and DTZ in September 2015, has a 65-year history in the real estate services industry.
“Facilities staff are behind the scenes keeping the world’s workplaces, plants, schools, malls and public venues operating at peak performance,” said Paul Bedborough, president of C&W Services. “We’re honoured to be part of an industry initiative to bring this important sector to the forefront as a career choice, and to celebrate the people – across all the trades – who keep facilities running smoothly every day.”
