Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa Real Estate Investor Magazine - April 2017 | Page 41

the FM of the year award. Having a woman win helps
to balance any gender inequality in the industry, and
creates the opportunity to showcase that.
“My experience is that women in the FM industry are
far more driven than our male counterparts as we still
need to prove that we can do everything they can do,
and do it better, even as we bring a softer touch to the
industry. That said, I do believe the FM industry is a
growing market with definite career opportunities for
all,” says Joynt.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Global
Gender Gap Report of 2016, South Africa is ahead of
the UK and the United States in closing the gender
gap. Although globally the rate at which this gap is
closing is woefully inadequate, it’s important to note
that South Africa ranks 15th out of 144 countries,
with gender parity in Sub-Saharan Africa projected to
be achieved in 79 years or so, well ahead of the United
States’ projected 158 years. But there’s still work to be
done, which is why SAFMA encourages the growth,
development and up-skilling of every single FM
professional, and why the soon-to-be-launched FM
qualification, a first for South Africa and currently
with the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations
for approval, is so important.
Recognition of Prior Learning
One of the biggest hindrances to achieving gender
equality (apart from the pay gap), is that of education
‒ a hot topic both historically and currently. To help
counter the historical disparity, as well as the more
recent lack of FM-related courses at a tertiary level,
the SAFMA Professional Designations take into
consideration, in addition to formal education, all
learning, prior experience in FM, and knowledge
gained from active participation in the FM field,
making a Professional Designation accessible even to
the previously disadvantaged and those who haven’t
had access to a formal tertiary or technical education.
Those who are considering FM as a career path, or who
already find themselves involved in the FM industry
and wish to advance, have several option available to
them. Endorsed training providers provide essential
courses for FM professionals who wish to improve
their knowledge, and for those who would like to
consider FM as a career. Only a few South African
universities offer FM-related degrees, but these are
certainly worth investigating.
The future of FM is a bright one indeed. South
Africa is a developing country, and the FM industry is
growing and evolving with it, making it fertile ground
for youngsters and existing FM professionals looking
to make their mark.
RESOURCES
SAFMA
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