The Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE), ASHRAE and ISSA (International Sanitary Supply Association) have announced their intent to work together on IFMA Foundation’s FM training and development framework.

Introduced in January 2019, the goal of the training is to establish holistic guidelines for the FM industry — particularly in the technical fields. AFE will provide training, education and certifications for facility engineers; ASHRAE will offer its expertise in the category of HVAC and building energy controls; ISSA will offer its training products for cleaning operation.

“ASHRAE is pleased to collaborate on this groundbreaking training,” said 2018-2019 ASHRAE President Sheila J. Hayter in the press release. “Through the development of this framework, facilities management professionals will be equipped to demonstrate outstanding expertise in the areas of HVAC&R and building energy controls and approach their responsibilities with greater knowledge, improved efficiency and more confidence.”

John Barrett, executive director of ISSA, added: “cleaning is an integral part of quality facility management and we’re happy to collaborate with such an esteemed collection of partners to set that standard moving forward.”

“Momentum is building as more and more organizations throw their weight behind the FM Training and Development Framework,” said IFMA Foundation Chair Nancy Johnson-Sanquist, IFMA Fellow. “These early adopters are setting the bar for the future of the FM industry and its component industries.”