Portobello Institute has been educating facilities managers for the past 15 years, offering recognised professional body courses such as IFMA and IWFM.
Having partnered with London Metropolitan University, Portobello developed Ireland’s only FM focused BSc and MSc degrees launching in autumn 2019.
The principal aim – offer FMs, from a wide variety of backgrounds, the opportunity for career advancement with industry specific degree qualifications.
Such was the appeal of the qualifications and content of the courses, some of the students registered, came from as far away as South Africa and Qatar. Unexpectedly, programmes with a global appeal had been created.
Masters in Facilities & Workplace Management
Portobello’s Master's in Facilities and Workplace Management launched in September 2019 with the first cohort submitting their final dissertations during August ’20. This master's programme supports FMs to refocus their thinking towards taking a strategic approach to FM.
The tutors on both courses are industry experts with managerial experience at a high level. They combine their understanding of FM with a keen knowledge of education and supporting students achieve their academic ambitions.
Feedback from the first cohort included satisfaction of their learning and renewed thinking around strategy in an FM context. Many graduates noted the support of peer mentorship and building a strong network of contacts as key unexpected benefits.
BSc Hons Facilities & Workplace Management
The BSc (Hons) Facilities & Workplace Management has been designed to give an opportunity to multiple audiences including those who possibly have strong experience, but perhaps little formal education and also those who hold other degree and trade qualifications, who seek an FM specific degree.
To allow for multiple learner types, advanced entry points into year 2 and 3 have also been created to afford those with previous qualifications ensuring recognition of prior learning.
The content of this programme focuses on key subjects including business decision making in an FM context and understanding facilities and workplace management. Year two shifts towards specialist topics to include risk management and people management in an FM context.
Finally in year three, modules are delivered on strategy, change management and corporate and social responsibility for facilities and workplace managers.
Time for study, work and family
Portobello Institute developed these programmes with a blended learning approach from the outset. This offers students the opportunity to commit to studying, whilst still maintaining busy working and family life commitments.
Each module has a number of seminars delivered on a Saturday. These were also streamed online for international students to attend. As a result of COVID-19, seminars moved to online delivery with students logging-in or catching up later with a recording of the session.
A Pathway for Career Advancement in FM
Education generally helps to solve the issues companies face with skills gaps and talent shortages. These industry specific degree programmes are a game changer for the FM industry and for higher education in Ireland.
Portobello Institute now provides people with a structured pathway not just into the profession but also to career advancement to the top levels within Facilities Management.
Attend a Virtual Open Evening
These courses are now enrolling to commence this autumn with a number of virtual open evening sessions taking in place in the coming weeks.
For full course information or to book on to a virtual session, please call Brandon McLean on 01 8920035, email: brandon.mclean@portobelloinstitute.ie or visit the website: www.portobelloinstitute.ie