Advanced Certificate in Facilities Maintenance Management

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide a student who already works in the facilities management environment with the required skills and knowledge to perform a supervisory/managerial function concerning the maintenance of the buildings. It will also provide an understanding of the relevant economic and environmental constraints. The Advanced Certificate creates an awareness of the common pitfalls in the field and provides the necessary knowledge and skills to evaluate service providers so as to ensure as far as possible that these providers are competent and reputable.

Learners will use tools such as maintenance check lists and the relevant codes of practice and procedures in relation to the electro-mechanical, civil decisions and financial and statutory implications which will enhance their understanding of the job.

Furthermore, the qualification will enhance the capacity of the leaners to make decisions that will boost the overall workplace productivity and even to save lives. The learner will also be able to evaluate and synthesis the common facilities managerial challenges. An operational understanding of building based technology/machinery/systems and their limitations is established in order to enhance the Facilities Manager's ability to undertake a holistic evaluation of any given situation and identify root causes of and solutions to problems regarding the cost-effective maintenance of a building.

The qualification comprises a range of modules encompassing the best, tried and tested practices in the facilities environment and draws upon the expertise of academics and employers in the field.

The Advanced Certificate in Facilities Maintenance Management at NQF Level 6 provides learners with the required competencies to advance in facilities managerial roles across economic sectors and will enable them to follow associated career opportunities nationally and internationally.

Rationale

The South African Facilities Management (FM) industry shows continued growth with a clear demand for well-qualified staff within both the corporate and entrepreneurial FM sector. The qualification gives priority to the needs of the South African Facilities Management industry and the advancement thereof as per the findings of the Academy's research conducted.

It should be noted that the SA Facilities Management Association (SAFMA) was recognised by SAQA as a professional body with the following professional designations.

Accredited Facilities Professional (AFP); Certified Facilities Professional (AFP); Certified Facilities Supervisor (CFS) and Certified Facilities Practitioner (CFP). Learners who complete this qualification may apply for membership with SAFMA.

With sensitivity to international standards and local requirements we believe that we will produce dynamic leaders with the necessary facility management skills. The Advanced Certificate in Facilities Maintenance Management is a unique qualification in that the focus is on facilities maintenance issues such as civil, mechanical and electrical aspects which are essential to efficient and effective FM.

The development of this qualification arose due to the increasing number of facilities managers, organisations needing to handle the operational aspects of the business professionally and there is the additional pressure on managers to achieve in the areas of facilities.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Academy selects potential students based on the entry criteria of the institution as stipulated in the Act and the Admission Policy. Should a student wish to gain advanced entry into the qualification through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), all of the requirements need to be met in accordance with the RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum admission requirement is a Higher Certificate in the appropriate field.

The qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 6 totalling 130 Credits.

Compulsory modules

• Management, 16 Credits.
• Contract Management and SLAs, 12 Credits.
• Outsourcing, 8 Credits.
• Facilities Maintenance Management - Electrical, 16 Credits.
• Facilities Maintenance Management - Mechanical, 16 Credits.
• Facilities Maintenance Management - Finance for Facilities Maintenance, 12 Credits.
• Facilities Maintenance Management - Facility Services, 16 Credits.
• Work Based Learning, 26 Credits.

Total Compulsory Modules 122 Credits.

Elective modules (select one)

• Statutes, Standards and Benchmarks applicable to facilities maintenance management, 8 Credits.
• Risk Management, 8 Credits.

Total Elective 8 Credits.

Total Credits 130.

1. Apply management principles for the effective delivery of Facilities Maintenance Management services.
2. Apply contract management principles concerning facilities maintenance.
3. Explain the concept "Quality of Supply" and its implications for the effective functioning of electro-mechanical components and systems.
4. Explain the impact of service contracts and management on the cost-effective service delivery in the FM Environment.
5. Discuss management principles for the effective delivery of FM services.

Associated Assessment Criteria for the Level Outcomes 1

• Management of projects, stores, configuration and replenishment of consumables for facilities maintenance is explained.
• The implications of ineffective and inefficient project management are analysed.
• The drivers of organisational culture and its implication for effective Facilities Management (FM) in the organisation are explained.
• Principles of delegation, supervision, performance evaluation and leadership are explained.
• The functions and advantages of staff assessment tools are identified.
• The principles of time management are explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for the Level Outcomes 2

• Different maintenance solutions, i.e. in-house/outsourced are compared and proposed.
• Costing of different maintenance solutions is analysed, revised and proposed.
• Cost-effective management of maintenance plans is developed.
• Financial reporting on the maintenance management is carried out.

Associated Assessment Criteria for the Level Outcomes 3

• Key concepts of electricity, mechanics and civils, (e.g. Volt, Watt, Amps and BTUs) are defined.
• Concepts in the field of electrics, mechanics and civils associated with the relevant components, systems, machinery in the facility or buildings are identified.
• Familiarity with the electro-mechanical components, systems and concepts of facilities maintenance is achieved.

Associated Assessment Criteria for the Level Outcomes 4

• Principles of service delivery, customer satisfaction and service excellence in the FM context are explained.
• The execution of maintenance plans, inclusive of cost control and financial reporting is evaluated.
• Principles of service delivery and service excellence are applied.
• Customer satisfaction analysed and ways to improve it are proposed.
• Client and employer FM maintenance requirements are determined.

Associated Assessment Criteria for the Level Outcomes 5

• Financial implications of facilities maintenance decisions are interpreted.
• Compliance with statutory regulatory requirements in conjunction with bylaws, company policy and best practice is analysed and evaluated.
• Risk and cost of compliance or non-compliance with the statutory framework for facility maintenance management is quantified.
• The principles of research methodology in the Facilities Management (FM) environment are applied.

Integrated Assessment

Clear description of the number and types of tests/assignments/projects/case studies is communicated to the learners. Learners will be expected to complete the following formal assessments for every module:

Formative Assessments.

Assessment Type

• Pre-Contact session Assignment Self-assessed.
• Test 1 Open book.
• Test 2 Closed book.
• Assignment Project or case study.
• Work-based learning: Experiential learning:

> Logbook.

> Report Assignment.

> Time/activity schedule.

Summative Assessments.

• Exam Formal Exam.
• Assignment (Integrated Assignment).

During the programme the learner is expected to complete an integrated assignment that covers the full scope of Facilities Maintenance Management.