Facilities Services Operative

At GLP Training, our Facilities Services Operative Apprenticeship offers comprehensive training designed for individuals eager to excel in the dynamic field of facilities management (FM). This apprenticeship serves as a foundational stepping stone for those pursuing a career on both the supplier side—companies that deliver FM services to clients—and the client side—entities that receive these services.

Facilities Services Operatives (FSOs) are integral to maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of diverse environments such as residential developments, commercial properties, hospitals, schools, retail centers, and industrial locations. These professionals are adept at navigating various industry sub-sectors, showcasing versatility and adaptability in their roles.

Apprentices in this programme develop crucial skills in cross-departmental collaboration, engaging with colleagues from finance, procurement, and commercial departments, as well as with technical experts and other FM-related personnel including security, cleaning, catering, and front-of-house staff. This apprenticeship emphasises the importance of customer interaction, equipping apprentices with the skills necessary to manage and enhance customer experiences effectively.

Operatives often work in varied settings, from small enterprises where they may operate independently, to large-scale operations where teamwork with up to 500 colleagues is common, depending on the contract's size. Daily responsibilities include regular interaction with the FM department and reporting to the FM Supervisor.

Our Facilities Services Operative Apprenticeship trains individuals to excel in this outward-facing role, preparing them to meet the diverse needs of the facilities management industry with a strong customer focus, robust problem-solving skills, and effective interdepartmental collaboration.

This course is suitable for current or aspiring individuals that want to undertake a Facilities Service Operative Apprenticeship. This course will provide you with the theoretical and practical knowledge to construct a well-managed project.

Entry Requirements

Down to the discretion of individual employers but typically includes:

Level 1 English and Mathematics, or equivalent (can be completed during the apprenticeship)
16 or over
Not in full-time education

All apprenticeship standards cover three overall sections, these being Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours. Each of these areas is associated with the specific standard and covers topics that are relevant to that industry and profession. The core topics covered for the Facilities Services Operative Level 2 apprenticeship are below.

Knowledge:

Legislation including COSHH and RIDDOR
Hard & Soft facilities management
Roles and responsibilities in facilities management
Risk Assessments
Customer Service
Social responsibility and sustainability policies including safeguarding

Skills:

Working in Facilities Services and personal development
Working with Customers and Others in Facilities Services
Project Management
Health and Safety in Facilities Services
Risk Assessments
Using equipment and stock control
SOPs and SLAs
Sustainability and Environmental Issues for Facilities Service
Feedback and improvement

Behaviours:

Customer Focus
Team working
Personal Effectiveness
Attention to detail
Honesty
Adaptability

The training is a blended learning delivery model, which occurs on the job during working hours. A structured learning and assessment plan is put in place to test core components of the course along the way.

This consists of:

1-to-1 monthly meeting: Approx. two hours with a GLP Trainer (face-to-face or telephone)
Online learning courses and/or group sessions
Building an electronic portfolio of work-related evidence
Maths and English Level 2 (if not previously achieved)
6 hours a week spent working towards your apprenticeship.
End Point Assessment by an external examiner to complete the qualification, consisting of a resourcing project assignment and a professional discussion.

To attain the qualification, you will undergo an assessment throughout your apprenticeship, culminating into a final evaluation known as the End Point Assessment (EPA), which can get you a result of a Pass, Distinction, or Fail.

Moreover, the apprentice must have completed the following requirement prior to beginning their EPA:

Obtain a Functional Skills Qualification (if applicable).

End Point Assessment Gateway:

The Facilities Service Operative EPA is administered by The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management, our chosen End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO).

The employer must be satisfied that the apprentice is consistently working at, or above, the level of the occupational standard.

Apprentices must complete the following approved qualifications mandated in the standard:

Level 2 Facilities Services Principles

Apprentices must have completed their portfolio prior to passing through the gateway (this portfolio must be submitted no later than 2 weeks after the start of the EPA period)

End Point Assessment:

EPA's typically takes about 3 months and apprentices are required to complete:

Knowledge Assessment: Includes a multiple choice assessment to test the knowledge required of a FSO. EPAO's will be responsible for developing and maintaining questions and will randomly select different questions for each exam. The test can be computer based, consisting of 20 questions of closed responses or multiple choice.

Observation: Apprentices are observed by an assessor completing work in their normal workplace, in which they will demonstrate the right KSB's. This gives employers the confidence that apprentices are accurately demonstrating their occupational competence.

Professional Discussion of performance and knowledge: This assessment will be done through a professional discussion, which must be structured to draw out the best of the apprentice’s competence and excellence and cover the KSBs assigned to this assessment method.

The combined score of these methods will provide an overall final grade for the apprenticeship.

Facilities service operatives can progress into roles such as building maintenance technician, groundskeeper/landscaper, housekeeping/janitor, security officer, facility manager, electrician, plumber, energy management specialist and environmental health and safety (EHS) coordinator and so much more!

As part of this Apprenticeship, you will gain the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) Level 2 Certificate in Facilities Services Principles as well as completing Level 1 Functional Skills Maths and English.

Candidates can apply to become a member of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management/Associate Member.

APPRENTICESHIP

Facilities Services Operative

Providing facilities services support to customers and facilities management departments.

Level

2

Duration

13+ months

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LINKS TO OUR PATHWAYS

This Apprenticeship Standard is also linked to our

Facilities Management Pathway

providing amazing career progression opportunities.

PARTNERSHIPS

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Download a detailed course guide

Facilities Services Operative

2

13+ months

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