New Facility Manager Program Addresses the Shortage of the Skilled Worker
Grainger gift supports new facility management program at NIU
CHICAGO - Grainger, a leading supplier of facility maintenance products based in Lake Forest, Ill., on Thursday contributed $15,000 to Northern Illinois University to assist in the creation of professional development opportunities for facility managers across the region.
The program, to be known as the Certified Facility Manager Exam Review and Seminar Series, is being created through a partnership between NIU Outreach and the Chicago Chapter of International Facility Management Association.
"We are grateful to Grainger for its support of this program, and we look forward to working with the Chicago Chapter of IFMA to create a curriculum that will enhance career advancement opportunities and increase the earning potential for professional facility managers," said Donna Mann, assistant director of non-credit programs for NIU Outreach.
The Grainger gift will be used to help market the program and to offset the cost of textbooks and course materials for students. The gift reflects an ongoing commitment to technical education by Grainger. The company has invested more than $370,000 in such programs over the last two years.
"Grainger is proud to support the men and women who will be the leaders of tomorrow in the field of facility management," said Grainger District Branch Services Manager Rich Warfield. "We know that in today's workplace there is an ever-increasing need for skilled trades-people, and we are proud to show our support through this contribution."
NIU Outreach has a history of successfully partnering with business organizations to offer professional development and certification prep courses. The Society for Human Resource Management has ranked NIU's HR Management Certification Prep among the top 20 in the nation, while the Institute of Internal Auditors selected NIU as the first university in the world to offer its new instructor-led Certified Internal Auditor Review program.
NIU Outreach plans to start offering the Certified Facility Manager Exam Review and Seminar Series later this year. The program will be divided into 11 sections covering all aspects of facility management, plus a review session. Topics to be covered include:
The Business of Facilities Management Finance Real Estate Planning and Project Management Operations and Maintenance Quality Assessment and Innovation Human and Environmental Factors Leadership and Management Communication Technology
"This is a one-of-a-kind program that will offer something for facility managers at all levels, from entry level professionals seeking to learn more about the functional areas of the business, to those preparing to sit for the CFM exam," said Esther Diamond, president of the Chicago Chapter of IFMA.
The seminars can be taken individually or as a series to aid in preparation for the CF Management exam.
Company Information: Name: Grainger Co., Inc. Address: 100 Grainger Pkwy. City: Lake Forest State: IL ZIP: 60045 Country: USA Phone: 847-535-1000 http://www.grainger.com
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