FEATURE
UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?
If you visited the Facilities Show, you may have come across The Challenge as the official charity partner of this year’s event. The Challenge is doing so much to help
young people and the FM industry but not enough people know what the organisation is. Using the show as a platform the charity aims to raise awareness of its work in the industry. Oren Gershon, Head of Property and Facilities for the charity, explains.
The Challenge is the UK's leading charity for building a more integrated society, working on a local level to bring together people from all ages, ethnicities and walks of life, connecting communities and building trust. Founded in 2009, just seven years later, the Challenge employs over 900 staff and has an £80m turnover.
The organisation runs a variety of programmes to achieve this, including:
• The National Citizen Service (NCS) builds skills for 16-17 year- olds. The programme involves a short time away from home, trying new things as well as taking part in a team project in the local community, and much more.
• Headstart – this is a programme run exclusively for NCS graduates, it offers them a
20 | TOMORROW’S FM
chance to give back to their local communities through volunteering opportunities.
These can take place at institutions such as care homes and last for 16 hours.
• Step Forward - a one year programme for school leavers in the capital. It connects them directly with employers and equips them with the skills they need to make smart decisions, easing the transition from school or college to whatever comes next.
According to an IFMA survey at the beginning of 2016, FM workers are an ageing population. The survey told us that the average FM professional is 49 years old, and that 50% of the workforce is expected to retire in the next 5-15 years, compounded by
the fact that less than 10% of IFMA’s members are under 35-years-old. The FM industry needs to engage with schools, head teachers and pupils. Many school leavers lack the networks or knowledge that they need to help them find out about jobs and development opportunities.
Many employers find it increasingly difficult to reach out to the young people that they, and the FM industry need to be able to attract the highest level of new, young talent into the industry. They can do this either by inviting them into their business experience FM first- hand or by reaching out to schools, visiting them and giving talks. This is where The Challenge’s Step Forward Programme can bridge the gap. Step Forward is a one- year programme for London school
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