Afroteq Advisory, a leading provider of advisory services in the facilities management and built environment sectors, is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest training offering: the Introduction to Technical Facilities Management course, through its Afroteq Academy division.

Designed specifically for facilities managers lacking training or experience in building technical services, this comprehensive programme aims to equip participants with essential knowledge of the most common technical disciplines in facilities management, including HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems. The course emphasises practical application, enabling participants to effectively communicate, collaborate, and oversee technical teams and processes without requiring in-depth technical expertise.

“Facilities Managers come from diverse backgrounds and need accessible training programmes. Afroteq Academy’s new Introduction to Technical Facilities Management course has been carefully crafted to meet their specific needs.  For example, the increasing reliance on technology and telecommunications, new developments in electrical equipment, HVAC management and planned maintenance pose a challenge for Facilities Managers without technical background. This course helps Facilities Managers manage these and other challenges they might face on a day-to-day basis efficiently - ensuring a solid understanding of risk service level agreements (SLAs) to protect clients and contractors from financial losses due to system failures,” says Andre Michau, Programme Manager at Afroteq Advisory.

About the course:

The course will be offered in Cape Town and Johannesburg during May, June and July 2024, hosted in a facilitated and blended online format over three days. Specially developed by industry expert Fanie Louw (founder of The Knowledge Store) and delivered by Xolisa Fumba (Executive Director of Afroteq Advisory, a registered Professional with ECSA (Pr.TechEng), SACPCMP (Pr. CPM) and SAFMA as an Accredited Facilities Professional) and Ronald Nothnagel (a director of Facilities Management Solutions (Pty) Ltd, registered with SAFMA, and a member of the SABS panel of advisories).

Managers will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to effectively manage the technical aspects of their roles, driving innovation and excellence in the facilities management sector.

“This course is strongly recommended for facilities managers who have high technical SLA components to manage. It will equip them with the knowledge, tools and techniques they need to manage various aspects of properties, buildings and equipment.  This will provide them with the skills to make informed decisions that can impact the short- and long-term value of the facilities they manage,” Michau explains.

Facilities Managers will learn how to analyse and assess the physical condition of assets, develop and implement maintenance plans, budget effectively, manage vendors and contractors, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards. They will have the opportunity to engage in class discussions, case studies and knowledge assessments to evaluate their understanding of the technical material. Upon completion of the course delegates will receive a certificate of attendance.

As Facilities Management (FM) in South Africa continues to evolve into a more formal and mature discipline, the demand for a diverse skill set encompassing technical, project management, and people management skills continues to grow. However, many individuals entering the FM field lack the experience traditionally associated with building infrastructure and engineering services management. With backgrounds ranging from IT infrastructure to business administration, these professionals may feel ill-prepared to address the technical aspects of their roles. To address these gaps, the following topics will be covered:

Building Priorities, Availability and Reliability: Buildings are categorised based on priority, availability, and reliability of systems such as electrical supply and air conditioning. Facility Managers must know how to effectively collaborate with consultants and contractors through Service Level Agreements.

Technical Assets and Emergency Power: Facility Managers must manage the significant client investment in technical equipment, including emergency/standby power, to ensure uninterrupted power supply to large buildings. They must have high-level knowledge of systems like UPS, which ensure power availability, especially in unstable Eskom grid-delivered electrical power services.

Utilities Accounts and Energy Savings: Facility Managers should be knowledgeable about high-level methods to reduce energy and water consumption costs in various areas of the utility bill.

Technical Budgets and Spend Control: A clear understanding of both Capital and Operational Budgets is essential to avoid unplanned equipment replacements, which can increase project workload and pressure cash flow. Facility Managers must also manage preventative, corrective, and emergency maintenance budgets, ensuring efficient spending and equipment uptime, and proper spending control.

Technical Skills Management: Facility Managers need to establish a structured skills management system that encompasses disciplinary assignments and a skills matrix. This system is essential for effectively overseeing technical competencies in fields such as electrical and air conditioning services, electronic systems, elevator operations, and building infrastructure, thereby guaranteeing the provision of essential services.

“While FM encompasses a broad range of responsibilities beyond technical services, such as mechanical and electrical services, it's undeniable that technical expertise plays a crucial role. Our new course fills a critical gap by providing facilities managers with the foundational knowledge necessary to navigate technical challenges and effectively manage building infrastructure. It demystifies the technical environment and equips delegates with practical tools to manage the inputs and outputs required in this space,” Michau concludes.