India’s rapid economic growth and urbanisation have led to a surging demand for well-managed spaces. Today, one expects a seamless experience across every aspect of the property – be it cleanliness, safety and security or even maintenance.

In the bustling offices and gleaming corporate parks of India, there’s an invisible workforce that keeps everything running smoothly. The growing need for well-managed facilities has inadvertently created a powerful engine for the empowerment of its blue-collar workforce. These are the cleaners, security guards, maintenance staff and many more.

Initially unnoticed, these workers have now become invaluable assets in facilities management. The industry offers diverse opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled workers, which is driving upward mobility and changing perceptions. A transformation is steadily and surely underway. And India's facility management industry, employing over 8.5 million people, is at the forefront of this change.

Traditionally, blue-collar jobs were often associated with low wages and limited career prospects. However, the modern FM landscape demands specialised skills. This has led to organisations investing in training and development programs that equip workers with valuable technical expertise. Some companies, like JLL, are partnering with the National Skill Development Corporation to provide certified training to the workers, enhancing their capabilities while boosting their employability and self-esteem.

With smart buildings being more frequent, blue-collar workers are expected to deliver more. They are no longer just manual labourers but need to evolve with the changing requirements of real estate. Today, many facility management organisations are providing training in the latest technologies and equipping workers with the requisite digital skills. According to a survey conducted by KPMG, 60% of Indian FM firms plan to increase investments in worker tech training. This digital empowerment and skill revolution is transforming blue-collar jobs into specialised technical roles, commanding better wages and offering greater job security.

To keep all functions running smoothly, it is imperative to have happy and productive workers. They need to feel included and fair wages is only the first step in the process. Progressive facility management companies have already made the shift from minimum wage to providing living wages and benefits like provident fund and health insurance. This has workers feeling involved as opposed to disposable and in turn leads to better quality and service. 

Historically, many blue-collar workers in India have been excluded from formal financial systems. But that is no longer the case. Today, facility management companies are partnering with fintech firms to provide digital payment solutions and financial literacy programs, giving workers financial identity and access to banking services.