Higher Certificate in Facilities Management

Course details

The Higher Certificate in Facilities Management (HCFM) - NQF Level 5 - is intended for FM supervisors and managers who are involved within the broad field of FM and who wish to expand their specialised knowledge  and skills. The focus is on all the FM function in the organisation, the FM tools required and Service Level Agreements. 

Purpose of the Qualification (HCFM)

The Qualification is for any individual who is employed in, or planning to be employed, in the field of facility management and is directed specifically at those in supervisory / entry level management capacity. It serves to support and advance the capacity of individuals in this industry by: 

• Promoting the development of knowledge, skills and values that are required in facility management; 
  
• Helping students realise their potential in the field; 
  
• Providing opportunities for people to progress to higher levels of learning within the FM field. 
  

CAN I BE ADMITTED TO THE HCFM?

The HCFM is an NQF Level 5 qualification. Therefore, you can be admitted to the qualification if:

• You have a valid Senior Certificate (Grade 12) as stipulated by the relevant Act. OR
• You do not have a Senior Certificate, but you are over 23 years of age and have relevant experience in the  field of Facility Management. (In this case, please send us a copy of your formal job description and CV in  order to determine the suitability of your experience). 

There are 7 modules that comprise the HCFM. Each module covers the following content:

Facility Management Theory

• Origins, integrated nature, theory and principles underpinning the FM field 
  
• FM objectives of the organisation 
  
• Scope of FM 
  
• Characteristics of FM 
  
• Roles and responsibilities and structure of the FM organisation 
  
• Corporate strategy, FM strategy and FM policy 
  
• Trends in FM  
  

Financial Management for FM 

•  Accounting Terms and the "mechanisms" of a business extent of own financial involvement 
  
• Balance Sheets and an Income Statements 
  
• Mark-up and Profit margins; correct units for Investment 
  
• Profit, Return on Investment and Circulation of Capital 
  
• Core Financial Indicators 
  
• Productivity 
  
• Facility Management budget 
  
• Communication between FM and the Financial people in the organisation 
  

Building Maintenance Management

• Building condition assessment 
  
• Medium and long-term operations and maintenance programs. 
  
• Maintenance budgets, service level agreements, and asset management. 
  
• Planned and unplanned maintenance 
  
• Organisational strategy / policy and the link with building maintenance 
  
• Building and equipment life cycles 
  
• Building maintenance schedule. 
  

Facility Space Planning and Management

• Collect, analyse and critically evaluate the accommodation needs of the organisation 
  
• Optimal space utilisation 
  
• Space needs - conference areas, filing areas and systems, pause areas, toilets, catering requirements, reception areas, etc. 
  
• Space planning for efficient use of the available space 
  
• Workstation layouts, appropriate office furniture and ergonomics 
  
• Present and future requirements of the accommodation needs of the organisation 
  
• Organisation's needs regarding furniture, audio visual requirements, filing requirements and systems, facility management policies, etc. 
  

Professional Delivery of Soft Service in FM

• The scope and role of facility (soft) services in facility management. 
  
• Quality control for soft services and professional service delivery. 
  
• Financial implications and cost effectiveness in service delivery. 
  
• Service Level Agreements and contract management - SA Law of Contracts and other statutory requirements. 
  
• Principles and functioning of a Help Desk in the FM environment. 
  
• Practical case study work on contract management and SLAs. 
  
• Creating cost saving partnerships with suppliers. 
  
• Knowledge and understanding of supply chain and value chain. 
  
• Common negotiating errors. 
  

Consumer and Communication in FM

• FM customers, their behaviour and needs in the FM environment. 
  
• Communication for excellence in service delivery. 
  
• Customer satisfaction in the FM environment and how to achieve it. 
  
• Principles and techniques of effective communication. 
  
• Conflict management - dealing with dissatisfied customers. 
  
• Principles of communication planning for FM. 
  
• Effective communication with customers / users of the facility 
  

Health and Safety in Facility Management

• Risk management 
  
• Rights and responsibilities of the employer and employee re H&S 
  
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 
  
• Environment 
  
• SHE Quality Management 
  
• Behaviour-based approach to SHE 
  
• Sick Building Syndrome