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For Immediate Release
Andrea Sanchez
IFMA
1-713-623-4362

Date Posted: April 17, 2007

CHINESE GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZES IFMA AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT

IFMA Partners with Yingbiao Human Resources Development to Deliver Education

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) today announced formal recognition from the Occupational Skills Testing Authority (OSTA) of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, People’s Republic of  China (PRC), to provide facility management education in China. OSTA awarded IFMA the certifying document bearing the PRC’s official seal, a prerequisite for providing certifiable education. The OSTA document also signifies that the Chinese government recognizes facility management as a distinct discipline and career pursuit.

Yingbiao Human Resources Ltd., a company recognized by OSTA, will be IFMA’s contract bureau and education partner in the PRC. IFMA and Yingbiao signed a partnering agreement in Beijing in July 2006.

Preparing to enter the Chinese market was a four-year process, including several visits between North American and Chinese delegations, educators and subject-matter experts.

Initially IFMA and Yingbiao will provide a series of courses in China based on the nine core facility management competencies IFMA has identified and developed since introducing the competency-based Certified Facility Manager credential in 1993. All facility management competency courses and supporting materials have been translated from English into Chinese and adapted and customized to fit Chinese culture and business practices. Those successfully completing a course will receive a special certificate for that competency. Certificates will be written in both English and Chinese. The nine facility management competencies are: planning and project management; real estate; leadership and management; finance; operations and maintenance; quality assessment and innovation; human and environmental factors; communication; and technology.

Yingbiao also will present IFMA’s comprehensive Business of FM course at selected times and locations throughout China. The course covers all aspects of facility management and demonstrates how good facility management practices enhance the value of the organization’s physical, human and intellectual assets. It also covers how the facility function can become more visible and achieve greater recognition by all stakeholders in the enterprise—from owners, to co-workers, to customers. The Business of FM course has been tremendously successful in North America, Europe and in other parts of Asia.

“Recognition from the PRC government in Beijing is a significant milestone for IFMA and the facility management profession,” said David J. Brady, IFMA’s president and chief executive officer. “China has the world’s largest population and a robust expanding economy. There is new construction everywhere—factories, office buildings, airports, hospitals, schools and other facilities are coming online in staggering numbers. The need for facility management knowledge, training and benchmarking is commensurate with this rapid expansion. IFMA’s partnership with Yingbiao is an effective way to provide educational content and to connect facility management professionals in China with their counterparts around the world. Certified courses addressing specific needs are the best way to begin and build the relationship.”

Additionally, among other China-related responsibilities outlined in the IFMA – Yingbiao agreement, Yingbiao will administer IFMA’s Certified Facility Manager and Facility Management Professional credentials; recruit individual and corporate members for IFMA; promote the importance of facility management education and its contributions to performance; and help safeguard IFMA’s intellectual property. IFMA is the largest and most widely recognized professional association for facility management, supporting more than 18,500 members. The Association’s members are represented in 125 chapters and 15 councils in 65 countries worldwide. Globally, IFMA certifies facility managers, conducts research, provides educational programs, recognizes facility management degree and certificate programs, and produces World Workplace, the largest facility management-related conference and exposition. For more information, visit www.ifma.org.

Yingbiao, an independent legal entity in the field of education and training, is committed to the introduction and promotion of various international professional qualifications and is entrusted by the Occupational Skill Testing Authority of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, People’s Republic of China. Yingbiao is the official examination office for Sino-British vocational qualifications and has experience with other international vocational certificates in China.

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