Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
As the U.S. faces a historic skilled trades labor shortage, the Lowe’s Foundation has announced the Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition to help train and develop 1 million people for skilled trades careers by 2035. The national alliance is backed by over 75 American educators, businesses, workforce organizations, industry vendors, and stakeholders across the skilled […]
The National Fire Protection Associations (NFPA) has released its fourth annual industry survey report. The survey found that skilled trade workers are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools, while recognizing continued investment in training, professional development, and industry collaboration will be critical to meeting heightened work demands amid ongoing workforce shortages. Conducted at the 2026 NFPA […]
The best facilities managers don’t just keep buildings running—they help people succeed, too. Kyle Rager is proof of that. Early in his career, mentors recognized his potential and encouraged him to take on bigger challenges. Now, after more than 15 years in the profession, he believes one of the most important responsibilities of an FM […]
Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. If you manage a big portfolio of buildings, you know exactly who I’m talking about. These are the veteran engineers who can walk into a mechanical room, listen for half a minute, and immediately […]
Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month. Smart Factory for Futuristic Planes JetZero, an aerospace startup developing futuristic “all-wing” commercial and military aircraft, has broken ground on a massive smart factory on more than 600 acres in North Carolina. The 8 million square-foot facility represents […]
Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month. New NFL Stadium NFL games might be over for now, but a number of football teams (including the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars) are currently working on major stadium projects during the offseason. In Ohio, the Cleveland […]
Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. In 2026, the skilled trades are facing a reality check that is impossible to ignore: A significant rift has opened between the priorities of organizational leaders and the priorities of their employees, especially as […]
Ask almost any facilities leader about their biggest challenge right now and the workforce will be near the top of the list. Across the industry, it has become harder to recruit and retain skilled trades. Buildings are becoming more complex and require technicians with a wider range of skills. Electricians, HVAC technicians, maintenance engineers, and […]
As the United States grapples with aging building stock and the need for infrastructure modernization, a critical workforce challenge threatens the commercial real estate sector’s ability to maintain, modernize, and operate the built environment. JLL’s latest skilled trades talent research reveals that by 2030, an estimated 2.1 million skilled trades positions for electricians, HVAC technicians, […]
Nearly every modern facility relies on electrical systems, whether it’s a data center, manufacturing plant, school, hospital, or public infrastructure. In all cases, reliability, safety, and uptime are critical. That’s why NFPA 70B, which moved from a recommended practice to a mandatory standard in 2023, has become a focal point for facilities managers across industries. […]