Professional Development

The Atlanta Chapter Professional Development Committee strives to support chapter members and our local facility management community with outstanding professional development and educational opportunities. Our focus is to:

• champion FMP, CFM and SFP certification and maintenance
• bring forth engaging and informative programs designed to meet the needs of professional members
• organize tours of local facilities/attractions relevant to advancing the profession
• provide career support and mentoring services to our members
• provide educational seminars/classes for an in-depth look at topics of special interest

IFMA Atlanta Career Mentoring Program

This guide is designed to provide both mentors and mentees in the IFMA Atlanta facilities management chapter an overview of how the program works. Please click here to download pdf document with more information.

The FMP Program

IFMA introduces the Facility Management Professional (FMP) designation preparing new and transitioning facility professionals for the demands of today’s dynamic workplace.

An entry-level, knowledge-based credential, the FMP is geared toward FMs with less than five years of experience and designed to accelerate an FM’s transition into the profession.

More information can be obtained by visiting www.ifma.org/learning/fm_credentials/fmp_index.cfm.

What is a CFM?

The Certified Facility Manager designation was developed by IFMA to meet the recognized need of the facility management profession for a designation that not only would help facility managers gain additional credibility, but also would increase recognition for the profession. Goals are:

• Assure professional excellence
• Establish standards for professional practice
• Increase recognition for the profession in the organization and the community
• Influence the future direction of the profession

Earning the CFM designation will give you the satisfaction of personal achievement and the knowledge that you measure up to the highest standards of the facility management profession.

Certification is open to Associates as well as Professional members. Consider certification as a means to advance your personal professional development.

Members with CFM designation wear ribbons at each Program meeting. Professionals and Associates are encouraged to discuss the benefits of getting CFM certification and information on taking the exam during the networking session before the meeting. Learn what certification is all about with other members who have become Certified Facility Managers. Ask questions, get the details, and maybe hook up with a study partner. Cost? Experience required? Qualifications? Information on the test? Bring your own questions.

Look for the CFM ribbon attached to member name tags.

Become a CFM Mentor

Sustainability Facility Professional™ (SFP™)

Going for High Performance? AIM HIGHER!

Optimum “sustainability” for savvy CEOs and facility professionals goes beyond certifying the premises with the preferred building rating system. It is a commitment to improving the facility’s impact on the environment, productivity and people—not just today, but tomorrow too.

Become an SFP and play a key leadership role in creating, managing, and operating sustainable facilities. The SFP is the new credential for FMs seeking a higher level of sustainable performance. Go farther, faster. Engage all your company’s FM assets to truly maximize triple bottom line results.

Atlanta Chapter IFMA Credentialed Members:

As of June 2010, the Atlanta Chapter has 29 Certified Facility Managers (CFM) and 29 Facility Management Professionals (FMP), totaling 13 % of its membership. Click here for a roster of those distinguished members:

IFMA Atlanta CFM, FMP & SFP members list

Georgia Tech Masters Degree program

The Georgia Tech Masters Degree program focusing on Integrated Facility and Property Management is designed for experienced professionals and managers seeking senior level positions in the facility and property management field. Unlike a traditional MBA program that offers only general management skills, this Masters program deals primarily with the issues facing property and facility managers. The program integrates the study of corporate business strategies with an emphasis on property management and facility areas.

The program requires 36 semester hours. Courses are offered in the evenings, so students can continue their professional practices during the day. Course emphasis is on professional trends, environmental and safety concerns, planning and project management, real estate and facility maintenance and management, and financial topics in practical application.

For link to the Georgia Tech Masters Program Click Here Kennesaw State University Bachelor’s Degree in Facility Management Discipline

Kennesaw State University offers a fully accredited bachelor’s degree in Facility Management through their Construction Management Department.  The BS Construction Management Degree with Facility Management concentration is accredited by the IFMA Foundation, which is the accreditation granting body for Facility Management Programs worldwide. The four-year degree program consisting of 127 credits builds on the core competencies of Construction Management including Project Management, Estimating and Scheduling and aligns the degree program with the Eleven Core Competencies required from a professional Facility Manager.  In addition the degree program is also accredited by the American Council for Construction Education. The degree program courses are scheduled in the afternoon and evening format enabling the students to work on internships or other employment opportunities due to the setting of KSU campuses in Metro Atlanta area. Please visit KSU Construction Management Department for further details and admission.

For more information concerning IFMA Professional Development opportunities contact Ken Stephenson

Click here to view the IFMA Headquarters Certification section.

Click here to view the IFMA Headquarters Professional Development Calendar.