First students with advanced diplomas

05 October 2011

The British Institute of Facilities Management and one of its recognised training centres, the Xenon Group, have announced that three students have become the first in the UK to successfully complete advanced BIFM diplomas.

Naomi Crossan and Darren Shiels, both employees of professional services firm Ernst & Young, completed Level 5 and Level 6 Diplomas respectively, while Dawn Marshall from FM service provider Sodexo completed Level 4.

All are already putting their training to great use in their work. Shiels, head of facilities management for UK and Ireland for EY, chose Xenon because it offers flexibility for those with demanding day jobs, and because it is delivered by experienced FM practitioners. He said: “I am extremely proud of achieving the Level 6 Diploma and would like to thank Ernst & Young, my line director Eulalia Crease-Huggett and Xenon for their support.

“I wanted to do this training to expand my knowledge, to challenge myself and to ensure that I was up to date with the latest FM practices across the private and public sectors. Undertaking the training was not about developing my career for myself but about being the best that I can be at my job. This provides the greatest return for my firm on their investment in me.”

Crossan, lead facilities coordinator at EY, enjoyed being able to do the training in her hometown of Leeds and is delighted with the level of support she received from Xenon. She said: “The training offered a good balance of thinking for yourself, doing exercises as a group, and if you needed one-on-one support that was available too. I also liked the use of the 'Huddle' software system, which enabled us to start discussions with other people in the group and to share documents.”

Marshall, general services manager for Sodexo, said: “I chose to do the training to increase my knowledge and expertise in the facilities management profession. My position is constantly changing and the knowledge I have has helped me to overcome new challenges.

“Xenon provided very thorough and detailed training in all subjects. The training schedule fitted well with my workload and the support they gave was brilliant. They gave me confidence in my own abilities to achieve the Diploma.”

The BIFM qualifications, at levels 4, 5 and 6 in the UK’s Qualifications and Credit Framework, were launched in March 2010. The BIFM’s suite comprises three “sizes” of qualification - Award, Certificate and Diploma - at three levels: 4, 5 and 6. This gives maximum choice to candidates who are frequently combining study with a demanding job. “We are delighted to be the first BIFM recognised centre to have students who have successfully completed diplomas at levels 4, 5 and 6,” said Sue Morris, training director at Xenon Group. “It demonstrates the standard of training they receive from Xenon. We would like to congratulate Darren Shiels, Naomi Crossan and Dawn Marshall on their success and thank them for their hard work on the course.”