One of the key developing trends we have seen within the FM workforce in recent decades is the increase in young professionals joining the sector. Discussing this topic with Facilitate Magazine several months ago Peter Forshaw, Managing Director at Maxwell Stephens Recruitment, highlighted a number of factors which has attributed to this demographic trend within the industry, including the spread and availability of university-based FM qualifications; the change in the ‘public image’ of Facilities Management, and the ever-evolving technological environment within FM.

With close ties to the FM industry, The Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers have recently announced the opening of nominations for their annual Young Manager Award. This prestigious award recognises young talent within the industry and provides amazing opportunities to develop their careers through a unique training and professional development programme. As specialist FM recruiters, we are acutely aware of just how important it is to encourage young professionals in the sector; as well as how valuable professional development is to Facilities Managers. On the subject, Peter Forshaw said, “It’s great to see more up-and-coming professionals getting into FM, and we need this to keep this going so that the sector can continue to flourish. The Pattenmakers Young Manager Award is one of the most prominent awards in the industry for recognising the best young talent, and provides a fantastic reward which can have a huge impact on the deserving winner’s career. We ourselves have placed past winners’ multiple times and can attest to how much of a positive impact this award has had.”

The winner of the prestigious Pattenmaker Young Manager Award receives expert support to create a varied and bespoke personal development programme, including off-site courses and a programme of customised work placements designed to broaden their perspective. The training programme will be developed in full consultation with the winner’s line manager or employer. There is also a small financial bursary kindly donated by FM consultancy Glennister Associates.

The award is open to managers aged 21-32 working in the FM sector, who must be nominated by their employer. The deadline for submission of entries is 11 November, and shortlisted finalists must be available for interview on 29 November in London. Nomination forms and further information about the Young Manager Award are available from www.internationalworkplace.com/pattenmakers.

The Young Manager Award enjoys industry-wide support, including from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), who say: “RICS is delighted to support the Pattenmakers’ Young Manager Award. RICS promotes the highest professional qualifications and standards and continuing professional development is core to our values.  We hope that this award will enable and encourage the winner to reach their full potential in the facilities management profession.”

The Award will be presented to the winner by the Lord Mayor of London at the Pattenmakers’ Annual Banquet held at the Mansion House in January 2020. The winner will also receive the Freedom of the Company, with the opportunity to apply for the Freedom of the City of London at a later stage.

This is an ideal opportunity to encourage the development of enthusiastic and deserving young people within the FM industry. Employers may nominate more than one young manager from their organisation.

Award Criteria:

The judges are looking for a young manager who:

• is enthusiastic about a career in FM or the built environment;
• can demonstrate their commitment to their own personal development;
• has potential for future promotion to a senior role;
• has a high standard of professional ethics;
• has or has had managerial responsibility (people, facilities or other resources);
• dan demonstrate initiative;
• displays leadership behaviours inside and outside of the workplace;
• is aged 21-32; and
• has the support of their director (or equivalent).

Nominations should be made on the application form, together with a letter of support from the line manager who puts them forward.

For further information about the Award please contact David Sharp FCIM FIWFM on 07787 523138 or email david.sharp@internationalworkplace.com.