Knowledge Zone

Few things rival the satisfaction of graduating from college. It’s a great feeling. Years of hard work give you a sense of achievement and fill you with the confidence to move forward in your career knowing that doors will open for roles that you now understand how to fill.

The right qualification can propel us into opportunities that previously weren’t available to us. You can work with who you want to work with, work where you want to work and do what you want to do.

But that’s the end of the process.

And education is a process.

Short courses can give us quick return on our investments in education. Diplomas and certificates help us to take the next steps in our careers. But degrees take time. Most degrees at colleges in Ireland require a minimum of three years to complete. For adults working full or part time who are considering returning to education, three years is a big commitment.

It’s not just the patience required to wait that long to get the end result, it’s the challenge of balancing your established life with your newfound investment in education. An inefficient college course can create frustration, stress and overwhelm you.

Portobello Institute designs its course delivery with the student in mind. All of our Facilities Management students are practitioners so we design their schedules to work around their lives.

We limit the workload on them by cutting out the unnecessary fat in modules, which creates an efficient transition from uninformed to educated.

But that’s not all we do to speed up the process. We also have advanced entry which can allow our students to attain a BSc (Hons) in Facilities and Workplace Management in just two years. This is made possible by studying the IWFM Level 5 diploma, which can then be used to gain advanced entry into Year 3 of the BSc (Hons) in Facilities and Workplace Management.

This is an internationally awarded degree awarded by London Metropolitan University. It projects onto the national framework of qualifications at Level 8.

Your experience allows you to condense a three-year course into two years, and you will also earn your IWFM Level 5 diploma in the process.

The Portobello admissions team will map out your work experience and past education to project you onto the right course. If that course is the IWFM Level 5, you will be able to start in May and graduate before February 2022 to start Year 3 of the BSc.

Shortcut To A Facilities Management Degree

Being able to attain a facilities management degree in less than 24 months is a unique benefit of studying at Portobello Institute.

Learn more about what facilities management covers.

You don't need a Leaving Cert and you don't need to wait to get started.

After attaining the Level 8 degree, you will have the option of studying the Level 9 MSc in Facilities & Workplace Management. This course has attracted professionals with various qualifications who have worked in the facilities market for more than a decade.

Natasha Reynolds Salerno graduated from the MSc Facilities & Workplace Management course this year. She was part of the first cohort of students to complete the Level 9 degree and has been the Coordinator of Facilities, Health & Safety at Pobal for the last 16 years.

"It was an enjoyable and, at times, a challenging experience, but that is how we grow and develop as individuals. I made some great friends and enjoyed learning from and working alongside FM professionals at the top of their fields."

Natasha Reynolds Salerno had 15 years of experience in FM before coming to Portobello's MSc programme. You don't need that much experience to get your place on the IWFM Level 5 course.

Portobello Institute has courses to suit needs of FM professionals at every level

If you're unsure of where you fit, we will be holding a virtual open evening on the 22nd of April at 7pm. You can sign up here.

If you would prefer to read more about Facilities Management, the FM section of the knowledge zone has various articles discussing Facilities Management including What Does Facilities Management Cover?  To browse through the different FM courses available at Portobello, you can go directly to the Facilities Management department.

Finally, if you have any questions, you can contact course advisor Brandon on 01 892 0035 or email brandon.mclean@portobelloinstitute.com.