An IWFM 4 diploma allows you to continue to work while gaining an education, rapidly upskill to open more job opportunities and gain advanced entry into Year 2 of a Level 8 degree course in just four months.
The best facilities managers combine experience and education to develop problem-solving abilities across different sectors.
A facilities manager has four primary functions no matter the workplace they exist in. As such, even though the roles can be completely different from company to company, the education for facilities managers is universally applicable. FMs come from different backgrounds to the same course so there is a requirement that they can enter the course in different ways.
Not everyone who wants to earn a degree in Facilities Management has a Leaving Certificate. Portobello Institute understands the need for multiple qualifications for employees at different stages of their careers. Portobello also understands the value of those employees who don’t have a Leaving Cert.
As such, we recognize your work experience and other educational achievements when assessing your application to the college.
Degree courses are where the highest-earning, most powerful facilities managers graduate from. Degree courses start at Level 8. The Level 9 MSc is a masters degree that offers further education after the Level 8 degree. Not everyone can go directly into Year 1 of the Level 8 degree.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re at a disadvantage.
Portobello offers IWFM diplomas in different forms. For example, the IWFM 3 is an introductory course for those who have no relevant work experience. After the IWFM 3, there is the IWFM 4 for those who have relevant work experience or hold a trade certificate. IWFM 4 is a very valuable qualification.
Not only does the four month course offer the opportunity to upskill over a short period of time, it can also serve as advanced entry into Year 2 of the Level 8 degree.
The Level 8 was purposely designed to offer multiple points of entry so as not to limit who could take steps forward in their careers.
With one of the following, you can enter into the first year of the BSc (Hons) in Facilities & Workplace Management:
- BIFM Level 3
- Leaving Certificate
- Experiential Learning in FM or related field
- Senior Trade Certificate
Through Advanced Entry, you can enter into second year and skip first year with either:
- A Senior Trade Certificate with significant experience and three senior endorsements – depending on each individual applicant
- An IWFM 4 diploma or equivalent qualification
IWFM 4 Intensive is starting on June 14th. This is a four-month course that has been designed to allow you to work while studying. Your classes will take place on Saturdays once a month covering four modules in total. That keeps your weekdays free to work full time. Over a short period, you can both gain a qualification and continue to add work experience.
Furthermore, this course ends on the 18th of September. That means you will graduate in time to apply for Year 2 of the BSc in October. Instead of trying to find a way into Year 1 and spending three years gaining your Level 8, you can spend the next four months attaining one qualification, then add a degree in a shorter period.
It’s the most efficient way of taking a step forward in your career as a facilities manager.
You can contact Brandon McLean of our admissions team on 01-892-0035 or email him at brandon.mclean@portobelloinstitute.com.
Fascinated with Facilities Management? You can find all of our articles covering FM here.
