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By Andrew Matthey
Within the next three to five years, professional certification is going
to become absolutely necessary for anyone wanting to get a job in
facility management, whether it’s an arena or an ice skating venue. It’s
also strongly suggested that people get either an undergraduate degree
or take graduate courses in sports management, with an emphasis on
facility management. It’s the best way for professionals to market
themselves and make them more valuable to their future new bosses.
To that point, organizations such as IAAM, the Ice
Skating Institute (ISI) and its affiliate, the Ice Arena Institute of
Management, are important in providing professional certification.
IAAM’s Offerings
The first program to offer certification was IAAM and its Public
Assembly Facility Management School (PAFMS) at Oglebay in Wheeling, W.V.
The program consists of two summer courses of one week each in June of
every year.
A third-year program called the Graduate Institute is
also in place and held at Oglebay Park. In addition to PAFMS, there’s
the Senior Executive Symposium held at Cornell University in Ithaca,
N.Y., over three summers.
After one has completed the PAFMS and the Senior
Executive Symposium and been with a facility for a period of years, the
person may apply for a Certified Facilities Executive (CFE) designation.
Ice, Ice, Baby
In addition to the IAAM course, the Ice Skating Institute and the Ice
Arena Institute of Management have certification programs. It involves
three tracks — management, operations and programming. At the end of the
three tracks, you can take 15 hours of what’s known as Certified Arena
Executive courses. In addition, there’s an oral exam conducted at the
Ice Skating Institute’s annual convention and trade show.
A third program in facility certification is run by the
Serving American Rinks Program, the North American Rink Conference and
Expo, Rink Magazine and the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association.
It involves five tracks in facility maintenance and operation, as well
as several management courses. At the end, the person becomes a
Certified Ice Technician, or CIT.
Get an Education
In addition to the certification programs, it’s also suggested that a
person get involved with collegiate undergraduate and graduate courses
in sports administration. All of these courses are certified by the
North American Alliance for Sports Management.
Some of the colleges that offer graduate courses in
sports management include the University of South Carolina in Columbia;
United States Sports Academy in Dabney, Ala.; Johnson & Wales University
located in Rhode Island and several satellite campuses throughout the
United States; and Ohio University in Athens.
In addition to graduate courses, there are at least two
undergraduate paths that one can take in sports management. One is
getting a bachelor’s degree in sports management entirely online from
the United State Sports Academy. The other is an undergraduate course in
sports administration run by Nichols College out of Dudley, Mass.
In addition to these courses, there’s an MBA program
run jointly by the U.S. Sports Academy and Nichols College. The program
is entirely online, and at its end, the student can receive an MBA in
sports management.
Besides the certifications and programs listed above,
it’s also suggested a person go to the seminars held in sports
management facility operations at the IAAM Annual Conference, the Ice
Skating Institute and the NARS convention every year.
If you want to be in this business and either advance
or merely change positions, the best way to make yourself more
marketable is to become actively involved in taking one or all of these
suggested programs. fm
Andrew Matthey is director of Menco Management & Consulting in
Cincinnati.
By Bob Clark
Now that the word “green” has entered the mainstream, builders and
building managers have a new vocabulary. Much of the talk centers around
LEED certification. LEED stands for the Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, a set of performance
standards for green buildings. Becoming LEED certified is good business.
Green buildings give owners and managers a competitive edge, because
cleaner air and more efficient use of energy equate to healthier
employees, increased employee productivity, lower operational costs and
other benefits. Obtaining LEED certification gives buildings public
recognition as “environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy
places to live and work,” according to the U.S. Green Building Council,
which developed the system. The organization has case studies showing
that green improvements pay for themselves in three years.
No wonder the number of new buildings constructed to LEED standards — as
well as those gaining LEED-EB (Existing Building) certification —
continues to grow. At the end of 2006, 550 buildings had earned some
level of LEED certification, and another 3,500 projects are working on
it. It’s easy to see that soon, not being certified will be a detriment.
Green and Clean
When it comes to obtaining LEED-EB certification, cleaning procedures
play a significant role. Of the 32 points and 14 requirements needed, 15
points and two requirements involve green cleaning and related
activities.
These include waste management and recycling policies,
sustainable product use, and air quality management. In fact, green
cleaning is a separate category under the Indoor Environmental Quality
section of the certification guidelines, and results in credits in the
following areas.
Entryway systems. Preventing contaminants from entering the building
results in cleaner indoor air and minimizes harsh cleaning processes.
Therefore, entryways are the first line of defense in green cleaning.
Proper maintenance of these areas can trap dirt, dust, pollen and other
particles before they ever pass through the door. Mats, grills, grates
and regular cleaning of entryways ensure a healthier interior
environment.
Isolation of janitorial closets. Janitorial closets house concentrated
chemicals that should be isolated from the rest of the building. Ideally
these closets will have their own exhaust and ventilation systems. Hot
and cold running water and drains in the closet mean that mixing liquids
and disposing of liquid wastes will not cause contamination of common
areas.
Low environmental impact cleaning policy. An effective green cleaning
policy includes the use of certified green cleaning products with proper
dilution systems and user training. Highly concentrated formulas for
cleaning products are preferable, because the product can be shipped and
stored in smaller containers. This reduces the negative impact that
packaging waste and transportation have on the environment.
However, janitors must take extra care to properly dilute these
chemicals before use. Dilution policies and training ensure that the
proper products are used in the appropriate amounts for each situation.
Using too strong a product is counterproductive and costly.
Low environmental impact cleaning equipment policy. Equipment, such as
vacuum cleaners, buffers, mops, scrubbers, rags and pads, should
effectively reduce particles and contaminants while having a minimal
environmental impact.
Noise levels, vibration and user fatigue are also important
considerations for cleaning equipment.
Low environmental impact pest management policy. An eco-friendly pest
management policy reduces the need for chemical pesticides. Pests can
often be effectively controlled through sanitation, structural repairs
and mechanical traps, but when chemical pesticides are necessary, less
toxic pesticides should be used. Building occupants must be notified of
pesticide applications.
Choosing a Green Cleaning Partner
Because it improves air quality, building safety, and the health of
occupants and visitors on a daily basis, green cleaning plays an
important role in obtaining and keeping LEED-EB certification.
Choosing a janitorial company with expertise in green cleaning will make
the process much easier. Such a company will help implement a holistic
plan, keep up-to-date on the latest green techniques, and assist with
the complex documentation required for LEED certification.
In addition, a green cleaning provider should provide occupant
responsibility and public relations communications.
When employees and other occupants understand their role in keeping a
building green, the program will be more successful. Also, publicizing
the program and its benefits can enhance a business or building’s image,
which positively impacts the recruiting of employees or tenants and
ultimately increases profits.
Obviously, going green benefits everyone, regardless of whether the
building is LEED certified. If building owners or managers cannot jump
immediately into a full-blown program, they can still start with simple
green cleaning steps that have a big impact on the health of the
building. No one should let the green cleaning revolution pass them by.
fm
Bob Clarke brings more than 18 years of experience in the facilities
services industry to his role of senior vice president of sales and
marketing for OneSource. In this role, he oversees the company’s sales
and marketing direction and growth, and manages a team of sales and
marketing professionals who account for more than $100 million in annual
revenue. |
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