The UK job market has been upended, with vacancies outnumbering the unemployed, but many don’t have the skills to fill the vacancies. The FM industry faces a particular problem in soft FM and low-paid and entry-level roles, which as Unite noted last year, lack progression opportunities and are affected by wage stagnation.

In the current market which strongly favours job-seekers, FM businesses will have to articulate an attractive offering by creating targeted training and development schemes that upskill the workforce and allow for different competencies. These schemes, particularly at entry level, should show defined opportunities for career progression and emphasise the diversity of roles and career paths. They should focus on building up soft skills within the sector as FM collaborates more closely with HR and other people functions.

To attract the most diverse workforce, companies should work with local councils and educational bodies to entice young people in education by showing them real-life applications of the work they are doing, and the wider impact of that work. Many young people want a job where they can effect change and work towards wider business and social goals, while enhancing lives, improving sustainability, and reducing waste.

FM is in a better place than other sectors to manage the skills crisis as it has been affected by these issues for some time. Many businesses have already adapted to include these types of solutions in their offering. They are also seen by investors as a reliable market, given the sector’s strong recurring revenues and critical demand.