Press Releases

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.