REQUISITE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

The facilities management profession has emerged in parallel with the current technological revolution. Sustainable development is a development that balances economics, society, and the environment in addressing spiritual needs with regard to the material as a measure of economic performance. This study aims to identify the facility management competencies requirement for sustainable development at higher education institutions. Variables examined in this study are leadership and management, managing people, understanding business organization, operation and maintenance, managing premises, managing services, managing resources, and managing the working environment. A questionnaire survey was used as a data collection method, and data were collected from 661 facilities management personnel in polytechnics. The data collected was analyzed using frequency, Cronbach’s Alpha and Relative Importance Index (RII) analysis. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software was used in order to facilititate the data analysis. The results revealed that the most important competencies for sustainable higher education institution are leadership and management, managing the work environment, managing human resources and business organization. Thus, these competencies are very important in carrying out the responsibility for sustainable development at higher education institutions and can also improve the image of these institutions worldwide. By 2015, the government aims to increase the percentage of skilled workers in the market to 37%, ensuring widespread transformation plans.