JLL achieves record-breaking results in global facility management training initiative with IFMA

CHICAGO, Nov. 19, 2025 – JLL announced today the exceptional results of its transformative training initiative with the International Facility Management Association (IFMA). Through the initiative, more than 1,700 JLL professionals completing IFMA’s comprehensive and prestigious Facility Management Professional™ (FMP^®) program globally, with additional participants completing Sustainability Facility Professional (SFP) and Essentials of FM.

IFMA’s FMP program is recognized as the “gold standard” credentialing program in the industry, building relevant core competencies and skills that FM professionals need to develop their workplaces. Since it began in 2023, the initiative has demonstrated a measurable business impact, including more than 1,700 employees already completing the two-year program with more enrolled and delivered both a 2% increase in promotion rates and a nearly 14% improvement in retention rates for FMP-certified employees.

“Our relationship with IFMA will enable our facilities management teams to deliver industry-leading expertise that helps clients achieve their evolving business objectives," said Cheryl Carron, Chief Operating Officer of Work Dynamics Americas and President of JLL’s Healthcare Division. “Our professionals need adaptable training that equips them with cutting-edge tools to meet growing demand and navigate emerging career paths. This collaboration creates extensive opportunities for professional development and career advancement — critical components for attracting top facilities management talent.”

JLL’s two-year program evolved from initial discussions in 2020 into a fully integrated Business-as-Usual (BAU) model that balances global consistency with regional adaptation. The scalable approach incorporates custom reporting frameworks, flexible licensing arrangements and dedicated support staff to ensure sustained engagement and completion success across JLL’s global operations.

The program’s impressive improvement in retention rates comes at a critical time for the commercial real estate industry, which continues to face significant workforce challenges amid ongoing labor shortages and increased competition for skilled professionals. According to JLL’s Global State of Facilities Management 2025 report, half of respondents cited the scarcity of candidates with the required skills as a key challenge in sourcing talent. With facility management roles requiring increasingly specialized expertise to meet evolving client demands around sustainability, technology integration and workplace experience, retaining top talent has become a strategic imperative.

“By creating a scalable, globally consistent training framework, we’re not just building credentials – we’re building careers and reinforcing our position as the industry leader in facilities management excellence,” said Paul Morgan, Global Chief Operating Officer of Real Estate Management Services, JLL. “The evolution from pilot to BAU demonstrates that when you combine strategic vision with operational discipline, you can transform how an entire profession develops and grows. Our work with IFMA exemplifies JLL’s commitment to investing in our people and delivering exceptional client outcomes through expertise.”

JLL’s investment in comprehensive professional development and credentialing not only enhances employee capabilities but also demonstrates the company's commitment to career advancement, creating a compelling value proposition that helps attract and retain the industry's best professionals. In an environment where skilled facility managers are in high demand, providing clear pathways for professional growth and recognition through industry-recognized certifications like the FMP designation has proven to be a key differentiator in JLL’s talent strategy.

The initiative features JLL-based IFMA trainers across FMP, SFP and Essentials of FM programs, creating internal expertise that drives ongoing success. JLL continues to evolve the program, with plans to expand credentialing offerings and deepen integration into the company’s talent strategy.

“Today’s facility managers are strategic partners who are critical in shaping the employee experience and workplace culture," said Sanjay Rishi, Americas CEO, Work Dynamics, JLL. “They’re responsible for creating environments that not only optimize costs but also inspire collaboration and well-being. The FMP designation identifies professionals who combine cutting-edge facility management expertise with the leadership skills needed to drive real organizational impact.”

JLL’s dedication to professional development has been recognized industry-wide, with the firm receiving the prestigious IFMA George Graves Award for Facility Management Achievement in both 2023 and 2024. Additionally, JLL has contributed funding to the IFMA Foundation’s Global Workforce Initiative (GWI) since 2020 to attract diverse talent to careers in FM, while supporting their long-term growth through training opportunities.

“Reaching more than 1,700 facility management professionals in such a short time highlights the effectiveness of this strategic collaboration,” said Michael V. Geary, CAE, President and Chief Executive Officer, International Facility Management Association (IFMA). “Together with JLL, we’re proving that investing in professional training leads to measurable results — higher retention, stronger promotion pipelines and a more capable FM workforce worldwide.”

Read more about this initiative on IFMA’s site here.

JLL Real Estate Management Services (REMS) partners with leading organizations across industry sectors, creating environments that achieve a more humancentric, resilient and responsible approach to shaping a better world of work. With more than 87,000 local and global specialists, the team enables the world of work, serving occupiers and investors of real estate. We improve workplace experiences, drive efficient operations and help our clients achieve their sustainability goals. We provide integrated services, including Workplace Management, Project Management, Property Management and Portfolio Services. Through technology enabled solutions, REMS creates and manages safe and inspiring spaces around the world for people to collaborate, innovate and drive meaningful change anywhere that work is performed. REMS manages over 5 billion square feet of real estate and has averted more than 120 million metric tons of CO2e by advising clients on renewable energy projects. For more information: https://www.jll.com/en-us/services/operations-management.

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Founded in 1980, the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) is the world’s largest, most widely recognized association for facility management (FM) professionals. Supporting more than 25,000 members in 140 countries, IFMA’s Vision is to lead the future of the built environment to make the world a better place. IFMA is a key contributor to the development of international FM standards and works with decision makers to inform FM-related policy. IFMA provides career resources and continuing education, offers three industry-respected credentials, maintains the largest repository of FM-related content on the web and hosts year-round global events. Learn more at ifma.org.