The content of this Pathway has been agreed by Instructus. This is the only Apprenticeship Pathway in the Property Services sector approved for use in Wales that is eligible for Welsh Government funding.
Learning Programme Content
The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:
- Qualifications,
- Essential Skills
- On/off the job training
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 2 Pathway in Facilities Services is 45 credits.
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway in Facilities Management is 64 credits.
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 4 Pathway in Facilities Management (Generic) is 113 credits.
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 4 Pathway in Facilities Management (Building Services) is 185 credits
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 5 Pathway in Facilities Management (Building Services) is 282 credits
Entry requirements
Level 2 & Level 3
There are no minimum requirements and formal qualifications are not necessary. However, some duties may involve working at heights, working in enclosed spaces and outdoor work in all weather conditions.
Employers are looking to attract applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and experience and are particularly keen to hear from applicants who have experience in related sectors such as catering, cleaning, customer service, construction, engineering and hospitality.
Applicants will be expected to have basic literacy and numeracy skills on which this apprenticeship will build, be willing to work as part of a team and have a keen interest in providing high standards of customer service.
Level 4 & Level 5
As the job role will require formal written communication skills and managing budgets, it is preferred if apprentices have an A to C grade in English and Maths, or level 2 Essential Skills.
The Essential Communication Skills requirement for this pathway is level 3. The higher level pathways are not suitable for pre-18 learners.
Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)
Facilities Services
Facilities Services Qualifications
Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.
| Level 2 Certificate In Facilities Services | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| IWFM | C00/0515/7 600/6925/9 | 20 | 200 | Competence | English Only |
| Level 2 Certificate in Facilities Services Principles | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| IWFM | C00/0507/8 600/6861/9 | 13 | 130 | Knowledge | English Only |
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Facilities Services | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 1 | 6 |
| Application of number | 1 | 6 |
Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Facilities Services | 149 | 223 |
Total number of credits for the Level 2: Facilities Services Pathway is 45/372 hours. This is made up of the following:
Competency qualification = 20
Knowledge qualification = 13
ESW = 12 for Communication and Application of Number
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
Facilities Management
Facilities Management Qualifications
Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.
| Level 3 Certificate in Facilities Management Practice | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| IWFM | C00/0523/9 600/7751/7 | 28 | 280 | Competence | English Only |
| Level 3 Certificate in Facilities Management | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| IWFM | C00/0523/7 600/7750/5 | 28 | 280 | Knowledge | English Only |
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Facilities Management | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Facilities Management | 154 | 202 |
The minimum number of credits for the Level 3: Facilities Management Pathway is 64 credits/356 hours. This is made up of the following:
Competency qualification = 31
Knowledge qualification = 21
ESW = 12 for Communication and Application of Number
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
Facilities Management
Facilities Management Qualifications
Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.
| Level 4 Diploma in Facilities Management Practice | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| IWFM | C00/0443/3 600/5065/2 | 47 | 470 | Competence | English Only |
| Level 4 Diploma in Facilities Management | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| IWFM | C00/0198/0 500/8381/8 | 48 | 480 | Knowledge | English Only |
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Facilities Management | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 2 | 6 |
Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Facilities Management | 220 | 376 |
The minimum number of credits for the Level 4: Facilities Management (Generic) pathway is 113/596 hours. This is made up of the following:
Competency qualification = 47 credits
Knowledge qualification = 48 credits
ESW = 18 for Communication, Application of Number and ICT/Digital Literacy
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 3 Essential Skills Wales Communication
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Facilities Management (Building Services)
Facilities Management (Building Services) Qualifications
Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.
| Level 4 Diploma in Facilities Management Practice | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| IWFM | C00/0443/3 600/5065/2 | 47 | 470 | Competence | Saesneg yn unig |
| BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Building Services Engineering | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Pearson | C00/4702/6 610/0940/4 | 120 | 1200 | Knowledge | English-Welsh |
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Facilities Management (Building Services) | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 2 | 6 |
Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Facilities Management (Building Services) | 220 | 380 |
The minimum number of credits for the Level 4: Facilities Management (Building Services) pathway is 185/600 hours. This is made up of the following:
Competency qualification = 47 credits
Knowledge qualification = 120 credits
ESW = 18 credits for Communication, Application of Number and ICT/Digital Literacy
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 3 Essential Skills Wales Communication
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Facilities Management (Building Services)
Facilities Management (Building Services) Qualifications
Participants must achieve the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.
| Level 5 Certificate in Facilities Management | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| IWFM | C00/0197/8 500/8349/1 | 24 | 240 | Competence | Saesneg yn unig |
| BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Building Services Engineering | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Pearson | C00/4702/7 610/0941/6 | 240 | 2400 | Knowledge | English-Welsh |
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Facilities Management (Building Services) | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 2 | 6 |
Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Facilities Management (Building Services) | 960 | 278 |
The minimum number of credits for the Level 5: Facilities Management (Building Services) pathway is 282/1238 hours. This is made up of the following:
Competency qualification = 24 credits
Knowledge qualification = 240 credits
ESW = 18 credits for Communication, Application of Number and ICT/Digital Literacy
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 3 Essential Skills Wales Communication
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Other additional requirements
None
Progression
Level 2: Facilities Services
Progression into this Foundation level
Apprentices can enter this level from any background and qualifications are not essential.
Possible progression routes could be as follows:
- Advanced Apprenticeship in Facilities Management
- Progression to team leader, supervisor roles
- Level 3 Diploma in Property, Caretaking and Supervision Skills
- First Line Management qualifications at Level 3
- Lateral move to a Foundation level Building Services pathway
- Possible progression to a Building Services Apprenticeship (subject to relevant work
- experience)
Ultimately the apprentice could progress to a higher level management position in Facilities Management, managing several contracts and a large number of staff.
Level 3: Facilities Management
Progression into this Apprenticeship
Applicants will come from a variety of routes, which may include any of the following:
- Previous experience in, or a Foundation Apprenticeship in Building Services, Construction, Catering, Cleaning, Customer Services, Business Administration and Team Leading
- Foundation Apprenticeship in Facilities Services
- Welsh Baccalaureate and experience in one of the areas mentioned above
Progression from this Apprenticeship
- Level 4 Certificate in Facilities Management Practice, or the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) qualifications at Level 4, 5 and 6
- Into high level management positions as a Senior Manager , managing multiple contracts with numerous staff
- Into further and higher education for example Foundation degree in Facilities Management
- Progression through membership of professional organisations
On completion of the apprenticeship apprentices can apply for Associate membership of the Royal Chartered Institute of Surveyors (RICS) and the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM).
Level 4: Facilities Management (Generic) & Level 4: Facilities Management (Building Services)
Progression into this Higher Apprenticeship from one of the following:
- Relevant experience in the sector
- Apprenticeship in FM
- Apprenticeship in Catering, Security, Business Administration, Building Services
- Level 3 vocational qualifications in a relevant area
Progression routes from this Higher Apprenticeship:
- Level 5 apprenticeship in FM
- British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) qualifications at Level 5
- Specialised job roles in FM such as contract management, Site Planning Manager and Compliance Manager
- Membership of professional organisations
Apprentices will be able to apply for BIFM and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) associate membership. The apprentice will learn about the range of professional organisations as part of Employment Rights and Responsibilities.
Level 5: Facilities Management (Building Services)
Progression into this Higher Apprenticeship:
- Higher (level 4) or Advanced Apprenticeship in FM
- Level 3 or 4 qualifications with relevant experience
Possible progression routes could be as follows:
- British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) qualifications at Level 6
- Membership of professional qualifications such as BIRM and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
- Progression to senior roles within the sector such as Business Development, Head or Director of Facilities
Equality and diversity
It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.
The Protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.
Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.
Facilities Management in Wales has the lowest proportion of employees aged between 16 and 24 (3%), and the second highest proportion of employees aged over 55 (21%). 12% of the FM workforce has a disability.*
Facilities Services in Wales is fairly split between the genders, 60% male and 40% female. 85% of the workforce is aged 45+ with 15% being 65+. 18% of the workforce have a disability.*
*Classifications as part of the Equality Act 2010 and those having a work limited disability only (February 2018).
The statistics indicate that the sector in Wales faces issues around an ageing workforce, a need to attract younger staff. The Facilities Management sector is not as easily defined as other industries in the economy and does not have always enjoy the same profile. As a result, it is not always an obvious career choice for those entering the workforce and in the past there has not been a clear entry point into the industry. Consequently, staff tend to enter Facilities Management at a later stage in their career and are therefore typically older.
There is a general lack of understanding amongst the population about Facilities Management as a good career with good pay and prospects and professional status.
Instructus Skills is taking the following steps to address diversity issues in the workforce:
- Raising awareness in schools about Facilities Management as a career through work with careers advisors Working with the Association of Women in Property and Women in Facilities Management.
- Use of non-stereotypical images on the careers website and materials
- Case studies for Facilities Management Apprentices, which reflect more women, young people and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic employees.
Apprenticeships are seen as a vital route to encourage, and facilitate, a greater diversity of individuals into the industry. Employers and training providers are encouraged to offer additional support and mentoring to ensure that apprentices complete their training.
Instructus Skills will monitor take up and achievement of all Apprenticeships through the Apprenticeship Review and Approvals Group (ARAG) and continue to take steps to address any barriers to take up and achievement as part of our Sector Qualifications Strategy.
Employment responsibilities and rights
Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory. But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the Training Provider and Employer to ensure that the requirements of this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government Apprenticeships Guidance.
Further information may be obtained from: Welsh Government
DfES-ApprenticeshipUnit@gov.wales