How do you train facilities engineers and staff?

1 Assess the needs and goals

Before designing and implementing a training program for facilities engineers and staff, you need to assess the needs and goals of your organization, your facility, and your team. What are the current and future requirements and expectations of your facility? What are the gaps and areas of improvement in your team's skills and knowledge? What are the learning objectives and outcomes of the training program? How will you measure and evaluate the effectiveness of the training program? These questions will help you define the scope, content, and format of the training program.

2 Choose the appropriate methods and tools

When it comes to training facilities engineers and staff, there are various methods and tools available, depending on the type of skills and knowledge you want to impart. Classroom training, for example, involves instructor-led sessions that cover theoretical concepts and best practices related to facilities engineering. On-the-job training provides hands-on learning and practice through mentoring or apprenticeship programs. Simulation training uses computer-based or physical models to mimic the behavior and conditions of the systems and structures in facilities engineering. And online training offers self-paced, flexible, and interactive learning opportunities through courses, modules, webinars, podcasts, or blogs.

3 Align the training with the standards and regulations

Facilities engineering is a highly regulated field that requires compliance with various standards and regulations at the local, national, and international levels. These standards and regulations cover aspects such as health and safety, environmental protection, energy efficiency, accessibility, quality assurance, and risk management. Therefore, it is essential to align the training program with the relevant standards and regulations that apply to your facility and your industry. This will ensure that your facilities engineers and staff are aware of and adhere to the legal and ethical requirements of their profession.

4 Provide feedback and support

Training facilities engineers and staff is not a one-time event, but a continuous process that requires feedback and support. Feedback is important to monitor the progress and performance of the trainees, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and provide them with constructive suggestions and recommendations for improvement. Support is important to motivate and encourage the trainees, address their concerns and challenges, and provide them with the necessary resources and assistance for their learning and development. Feedback and support can be provided through various channels, such as surveys, evaluations, reviews, meetings, or online forums.

5 Encourage lifelong learning and development

Facilities engineering is a dynamic and evolving field that requires constant learning and development to keep up with the changing technologies, trends, and demands. Therefore, it is important to encourage lifelong learning and development among your facilities engineers and staff, beyond the formal training program. This will help them to update and enhance their skills and knowledge, adapt to new situations and challenges, and pursue their personal and professional goals. You can encourage lifelong learning and development by creating a culture of curiosity, innovation, and collaboration, providing opportunities for career advancement and recognition, and facilitating access to relevant and reliable information and resources.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?