FMS Botswana Academy to equip and train future Facilities Manager professionals as the country recognizes the importance of well-maintained buildings and infrastructure as part of its Vision 2036

Facility managers in Botswana wishing to expand their skills base can now do so in their own time, country and currency thanks to the launch of the new FMS Botswana Academy, the country’s first private Facilities Management (FM) training provider.

FMS Botswana will be offering various short courses online in association with Afroteq Academy, one of the leading training providers for the FM industry in sub-Saharan Africa. Established in 2000, Afroteq Academy is endorsed by the South African Facilities Management Association (SAFMA), the Quality Council for Trades & Occupations (QCTO) and the Services Sector Education & Training Authority (SETA) and is ISO9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certified. The company has become known for equipping, empowering and developing the industry thanks to its ability to provide practical, relevant and cutting-edge training courses aligned to the ISO41001:2018 standard that can be quickly and easily adapted to suit their clients’ individual needs.

Portia Tsakane Mkhabela, Afroteq Academy Manager, explains that the decision to launch FMS Botswana was taken in response to the country experiencing a growing demand for quality accredited Facilities Management training programmes – specifically short courses.

“Botswana is currently working towards accomplishing its Vision 2036 – a national plan of action that will transform the country from an upper middle-income to a high-income country by the year 2036. In order to accomplish this ambitious and transformational agenda, it needs trained and experienced facility managers who are capable of executing the development and maintenance of various new building projects,” Portia says.

Although FMS Botswana Academy will initially focus on offering short courses, they are hoping to soon be expanding their service offering with more course options that are not only aligned to international standards but have also been adjusted to specifically suit the country’s unique needs and regulations. Afroteq Advisory is currently in the process of registering the skills programmes with the BQA for accreditation and will be commencing with in-person (what is in-person training?) training courses to Botswana companies and international companies who have offices in this country as soon as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

The first three training programmes that FMS Botswana are currently offering are:

  • Principles and Practices of Facilities Management (NQF Level 4) South African accreditation with Services SETA and SAFMA
  • Disaster Risk Management (NQF Level 5) South African accreditation with Services SETA and SAFMA
  • Procurement and Contract Management (NQF Level 6) South African accreditation with Services SETA, SAFMA and Quality Council for Trades and Occupation (QCTO).

Courses are hosted on the interactive and secure BraineBox online platform that offers 24/7 assistance in the form of videos, tutorials and online support. Delegates have one month to complete each module once they have successfully enrolled and commenced their online studies. In order to eliminate international banking fees, all rates are quoted in Pula (P) and payment is made into a Botswana bank account.

“Facilitated sessions are scheduled for a few hours per day for the duration of the training programme. During these sessions, subject matter experts will go through the technical aspects of the training programme as well as respond to any queries that delegates may have. Because they are practicing facilitators who hold (or have held) senior management roles in various business portfolios, they are able to offer delegates valuable insight and guidance in dealing with the day-to-day FM challenges,” Portia explains. She adds that these sessions will be recorded so that delegates can refresh their memories by referring back to what was discussed in the virtual space.

Facilities Management is recognised as a key enabler to developing a country’s wealth because it delivers important strategic and operational drivers for job creation, new businesses, foreign investment, and skills/ career development. As the Botswanan economy continues to advance and grow, so too does the need for properly trained facility managers who are able to provide services such as maintenance and repairs, building design, space planning and project management in a manner that is sustainable, timely and cost-efficient.

“We are hugely encouraged by the Botswanan Government’s recent invitation to private institutions to form partnerships that will allow it to move away from a “piece-meal” approach when it comes to the maintenance of its public buildings. There is no doubt in our mind that the FMS Botswana Academy will play an important role in developing these valuable skills that will continue to yield results and serve the Botswana community for generations to come!” concludes Portia.

For more information about the FMS Botswana Academy or to enrol, please email academy@fm-solutions.co.bw