FMA News & Press Releases
An interview with Sarah Bentley, CEO of Asset Skills
Published: Thursday 14th November 2013
Source: Asset Skills/CSSA/FMA
The proposed merger of Asset Skills, CSSA and the FMA is part of a vision to create a new and consolidated industry body. Following the unanimous votes in favour of the merger by members of the CSSA and FMA, the board of Asset Skills is to vote at the end of November.
Further details of the reasons behind the merger and what the new offering will entail can now be revealed. There have been various drivers behind the proposed merger, one being the rationalisation that is needed within the industry. The economic climate has forced employers to review all of their costs and this includes the annual fees that they pay to membership bodies.
It was becoming ever more apparent that although all three organisations are successful in their own right, there was a need to tackle the overlap between the organisations that each represents, and the services that they provide.
The new organisation will be a membership body that educates, represents and supports service providers and service users, and which views the end user as an integral part of the new body - they will have a voice.
Sarah Bentley, Chief Executive of Asset Skills, comments: “There is wide agreement that consolidation is a positive step towards offering better representation for the industry, and tangible benefits to members. Having listened to what the industry and the users really need from a membership body, we have worked hard to develop an extensive offering; including a complete package of training and education.”
She continues: “We will be providing bespoke training programmes designed for each sector that will be available to members as part of the benefits package. Training will be made available to operatives, supervisors and managers of all levels and delivered in an affordable and flexible way - including online and mobile.”
The aim is also to provide a platform for members to create new business opportunities and this is achieved with a visible, proactive networking programme. The existing infrastructure will allow for benefits such us these to be implemented immediately.
The skills and experience of the three organisations, combined through this merger, will prove to be vital in realising the new representative membership body.
Sarah Bentley concludes: “This merger is intended to be just the start of a vision for the future of representation in the industry. The consolidation will not end with these three organisations, and other interested parties are invited to discuss the possibility of being involved with the exciting plans in the future.”
Please click here to view Sarah Bentley's video blog where she discusses the merger.
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Notes to Editors
Press contacts
For media enquiries please contact:
Chris Hoar, FMA Chief Executive, on 01488 638265 or email [email protected]
Katie King, Zoodikers PR Managing Director, on 01892 520123 or email [email protected]
About Asset Skills
Asset Skills is the employer-led skills body for facilities management, housing, property, planning, cleaning and parking. We ensure apprenticeships and training are meeting the needs of people and businesses in these industries. Our work is shaped by leading employers across the UK and includes:
• The UK Academy network – a one-stop-shop for employers to access training and skills support.
• Apprenticeships and occupational standards development.
• Project management and delivery – we deliver workforce development programmes.
• Green Deal Skills – we work to ensure the right skills are in place to deliver the Green Deal.
• Insight – we deliver insight and intelligence.
For more information, visit www.assetskills.org or call 0845 678 2 888.
About the Facilities Management Association
The Facilities Management Association (the FMA) is the UK’s leading representative trade body for employers in the FM sector engaged in delivering non-core services to a broad range of public and private organisations. The FMA's goal is to support member companies in their pursuit of ever increasing standards of service and value on behalf of their clients and to assist them in improving their trading positions through innovation and thought leadership.
Visit our website - http://www.fmassociation.org.uk/
Follow the FMA on Twitter @FMAssociation
About the Cleaning and Support Services Association
The CSSA is a membership association for the cleaning and support services sector. It is the customers' guide to quality and reliability in the UK cleaning and support services market. Its dedication to training, marketing and the representation of its members' interests has already made it one of the most respected trade organisations in the country.
Many companies would like to contract out their support services, but are unsure of how to go about it. Look out for the CSSA logo on a contractor's letterhead and business correspondence. It is your warranty that a contractor is ethical, professional and provides good value for money. CSSA membership means that an organisation has been independently vetted and is required to adhere to its Code of Practice. Set up by the leading companies in the industry to monitor standards and ensure proper representation, the CSSA exists for the mutual benefit of the industry and its customers.