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We work closely with media partners to create and promote thought leadership pieces for the sector. Here is some of the coverage we’ve had in the first few months of 2024.
FM Careers Spotlight Interview: Tom Page, Regional Director, VIVO Defence Services
Over the next few months we'll be introducing an FM Spotlight series where many leading professionals in the sector will be talking to our Co-Founder & Director, Michelle Connolly. Michelle discusses how they got into FM, the projects they've worked on, and how various choices and changes have impacted their career.
Tom Page, Regional Director at VIVO Defence Services kindly gave us his time to talk about his FM career.
Women make up around 21% of the FM workforce according to an IFMA survey. An IWFM survey gives a more charitable estimate for the UK sector, with a 34/66 percentage split of women to men. Regardless of the exact numbers, it is agreed that the sector is male dominated. In areas like electrical engineering and security there is even greater disparity – women make up just 1% of electricians and 11% of frontline security personnel.
The skills shortage across FM will continue to be a focus of 2024. The FM sector will grow at a faster rate than the average UK market rate, therefore any lack of talent will continue to cause constriction on this growth.
Enrica Roggio
Enrica Roggio
I’m a Resourcing Business Partner at 300 North working alongside Jack and Faye in the Key Accounts team. I help our clients to recruit Business Support and Soft Services professionals – from Administrators and Helpdesk operators, to Caretakers and Facilities Assistants. It’s a really dynamic role that allows me to focus on various different parts of our clients’ business.
Tell Us About Your Professional Background
I moved to the UK from Italy (Sicily specifically) in 2015 and settled here for good. I know it sounds strange, but I do like the weather here as I prefer the cold. I have been in FM recruitment for just over 2 years now and I’ve worked on a mix of permanent and temporary roles, mostly within Education and Healthcare.
I started out working in hospitality for many years and I’ve picked up a bit of a Yorkshire accent which I’m really proud of! I have a passion for mental health and currently studying for a degree in psychology and neurobiology.
What Do You Like Doing In Your Spare Time?
I do a lot of gaming, which I’ve done since I was little. I like going to rock gigs and I still try to do some photography when I’m on holiday.
What's Your Dream Travel Location?
Japan! It’s been at the top of my travel bucket list for over 15 years. Hopefully I’ll manage to go at some point, I’ll sit under a cherry tree, visit some temples and sleep in a capsule hotel. Weird thing is… I hate sushi.
What’s Your Hidden Talent?
I speak a few languages, apart from Italian and English. I used to be very fluent in French, know some German and I have studied Latin as well and some Classical Greek.
Comment from 300 North given to Facilities Management Journal for their recent article: Addressing the recruitment shortfall within FM in 2024. For further discussion on how to tackle the skills shortage in the FM sector, please visit their site.
The FM sector has continually seen stable growth despite difficult economic headwinds in recent years. In terms of recruitment and the talent shortfall we continue to see in the sector, businesses have adopted a number of strategies to bring in the talent they need. Retention is a large part of this, and this year we have seen many businesses address and improve their approach to ESG and CSR internally in order to boost employee satisfaction and engagement.
The second half of 2023 has seen a sustained increase in counter offers, as companies compete to recruit in a tightened labour market and strive to hold on to their current talent. Job seekers entering the market are more aware of their value, and of the current shortage of talent available.
Over 70% of employees consider the employee benefits on offer from an employer when applying for and when considering leaving a job. A good benefits package can make an employee feel supported in their role and can provide transformational development opportunities. It is also a vital part of talent attraction.
We’re fast approaching Q4 of 2023, so here’s a few things to look out for in the market as we close out the year.
In recent years, the job market has largely favoured candidates, prompting employers to enhance their offerings to attract top talent. While many employers have proactively invested in training and development programs, sponsored relevant qualifications, and collaborated closely with the education sector, there's still a short-term challenge in finding candidates with the precise skills needed, especially in the FM, property, and infrastructure sectors.
The PFI sector provides unique opportunities for SPVs, local authorities, FM service providers and other key stakeholder companies to give young people longstanding careers. It is crucial for PFI to become an attractive sector to the next generation of professionals in order to build an expert workforce that will handle many transition periods and handovers in the coming decades, and help innovate the next phase of PPPs in the UK.
