The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Office Administrator / Receptionist
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Customer service, basic administrative tasks, managing incoming queries, understanding office operations, initial vendor contact.
You're ready to move on when
- You're the go-to person for office-related issues.
- You've already started taking initiative to solve minor facilities problems.
- You have a good grasp of who does what in the building and who to call for different issues.
- You're keen to take on more responsibility for the physical environment.
- 2
Property Assistant / Junior Estate Agent
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Understanding property basics, tenant liaison, property inspections, basic maintenance coordination, dealing with external suppliers.
You're ready to move on when
- You're familiar with property terminology and processes.
- You've handled tenant queries or maintenance requests.
- You're comfortable with site visits and basic property checks.
- You want a more hands-on role in managing a physical space.
- 3
Tradesperson / Maintenance Technician (looking for office-based role)
3-5 years (in trade)Skills to master
- Practical building knowledge, troubleshooting, understanding M&E systems, H&S awareness, contractor interaction.
You're ready to move on when
- You have excellent practical knowledge of how buildings work.
- You're looking to move into a more administrative and coordination-focused role.
- You have a strong understanding of safety protocols from a practical perspective.
- You're keen to apply your technical knowledge in a broader facilities context.