Employment Barriers into US Healthcare Management Industry for New Facilities Management College Graduates

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose The purpose of this research is to better understand employment barriers into the healthcare facilities management (FM) industry for new FM college graduates. Design/methodology/approach A national survey was distributed to healthcare FM managers and directors to collect information on individual demographics, hiring practices, and opinions of FM college graduates. Designated survey respondents were also contacted for phone interviews. Findings Results indicate that strong homogeneousness demographics, backgrounds, and paths of entry among existing healthcare FM professionals has created an industry bias against candidates attempting to enter healthcare FM from non-traditional sources. The healthcare FM industry's principal source for new talent comes from building trade succession within healthcare organizations. However, continuing to rely on building tradespersons as the main path of entry into the healthcare FM industry may prove problematic. Most existing healthcare facility managers and directors will be retiring within 10 years, yet it is taking more than 17 years of full-time work experience to prepare building tradespersons to assume these roles. Younger professionals are more commonly entering the healthcare FM through the path of higher education. Although few new college graduates enter the healthcare FM industry, they are experiencing similar promotion timeframes compared to other candidate with many years of full-time work experience. Unfamiliarity with FM academic programs, work experience requirements, limited entry-level jobs within small organizations, and low pay also present challenges for new FM college graduates attempting to enter the healthcare FM industry. Originality/value This paper is valuable in establishing major barriers of entering the healthcare FM industry for new FM college graduates. Findings may facilitate development of interventions by healthcare organizations and universities to further open FM academic programs as a sustainable source of new talent to help address healthcare FM attrition.