ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

UK reporter Lynn Webster examines the evolving role of the sector’s trade associations.

It is time to consider the renewal of many of those trade body memberships we hold onto year on year. Often when life is busy we pay the fees without question; without considering the slight increase, waiting for the next annual membership card to drop on the mat.

More recently industry association memberships have come under greater scrutiny. We question the value for money they offer - questioning the benefits they promote  and becoming a little more discerning with spending our hard-earned cash.

One significant move has been the announcement from the British Institute of Management (BIFM) regarding their move “to take a major step forward and re-position the institute and facilities management.” This involves recommending to membership that it changes its name from the BIFM to the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management and that it pushes forward with a process towards attaining chartered body status.

Research they commissioned in 2017 examined the current state of facilities management, its future, the relationship to workplace and the future role of BIFM. The outcome clearly corroborated with the theme suggested by the Stoddart Review which called upon facilities professionals to seek ‘the workplace advantage’. Another report, entitled ‘The Workplace Advantage from The Stoddart Review’ reveals an effective workplace can improve business productivity by as much as 3.5 per cent. Hence the suggestion for a new name.

This proposal includes adding ‘workplace’ to the name; acknowledging perhaps that it embraces or should embrace a wider range of key functions than FM. But what does the ‘workplace’ actually include? Potentially every sub-division of allied professions becoming all-inclusive or will some be left at the at the crossroads to fend for themselves by the FM style Visigoths?

Concerns to be resolved

Not everyone is happy with the move. The outcome won’t be known until members vote at the AGM later in the year but already social media is rife with heated debate. Many concerns are still to be resolved;  it will be dropping ‘British’ from the title, a very emotive topic. Will the planned ‘charter status’ isolate those who don’t hold academic backgrounds of university degrees or relevant professional qualification? And where will they go? Does this open doors for other professional bodies to welcome such new recruits as BIFM continues to refresh its image and brand?

Other membership organisations are busily developing and launching new membership opportunities and benefits including training packages and awards.

The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc ) has member launches under its Cleanlogic  banner, with a growing collection of supervisory and management courses and workshops, developed with BICSc technical knowledge and experience. #Creating a Career in Cleaning. The Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA) has its new Dragon’s Den’ event for innovation and technology.

And ISSA makes its move towards further growth in training and management support initiatives; introducing what are very well attended members’ forums across a wide geographical base.

In the words of Bob Dylan: “The times they are a-changin …”