Target audience: high school and technical school instructors, advisors, and school leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: A CLEARER CAREER PATH FOR YOUR STUDENTS

APPLETON, WI , For instructors preparing students for life after graduation, the challenge is urgent: how do you help young people move from classroom learning to a stable, well-paying career with confidence and direction?

The FM Pipeline Team’s Facilithon offers a practical answer.

The Facilithon is a full National Program within the SkillsUSA framework, now active in 22 states and counting. It introduces high school and technical school students to facility management, a high-demand, multi-skill profession with average earning potential of approximately $104,000, through a competition that is engaging, enlightening, and energizing.

Facility management is what FM Pipeline Team calls The Liberal Science of Buildings. It combines communication, technology, safety, business, construction, maintenance, leadership, problem-solving, and human relationships. In other words, many students are already learning pieces of facility management in their existing courses. The Facilithon shows them how those pieces connect to a real career.

“The Facilithon is designed to help students see that their existing skills can lead somewhere meaningful,” says James Zirbel, Entrepreneur & FM Pipeline Team founder. “We want instructors to be able to give students a clear, go-to career path the day they graduate, not send them into the world without direction.”

WHY FACILITY MANAGEMENT BELONGS IN YOUR CAREER EDUCATION PROGRAM

Every school, hospital, manufacturing plant, office, stadium, data center, hotel, and public building requires professionals who can keep people safe, systems operating, and organizations moving forward.

Facility managers are responsible for much more than maintenance. They coordinate people, vendors, budgets, emergencies, sustainability initiatives, building systems, technology, and long-term planning. Their work is essential to the built environment and to the economy that depends on it.

For students, that means a career with:

• Strong earning potential, with average salary figures around $104,000.
• Stability, because every community depends on functioning buildings.
• Variety, since no two days, or emergencies, are exactly alike.
• Multiple entry points, including technical programs, college coursework, internships, maintenance pathways, and direct employment.
• Long-term advancement, from entry-level building operations to facilities leadership, real estate, sustainability, healthcare engineering, and corporate services.

For instructors, the Facilithon creates a structured way to help students discover this opportunity. Students do not have to begin in a traditional facility management program. They may come from architecture and construction, business management, IT, STEM, health and safety, manufacturing, transportation, security, or another technical discipline.

The question is simple: Do they like people and buildings, problem-solving, action and variety, and thinking on their feet?

If the answer is yes, they may already have the foundation for a facility management career.

IT’S A THREE-STAGE COMPETITION

The Facilithon does not rely on memorization alone. It evaluates judgment, communication, common sense, and the ability to respond under pressure: the same qualities facility managers use every day.

1. The 50-Question Common-Sense Quiz

The competition begins with a 50-question multiple-choice quiz. The questions are designed to help students start thinking like facility managers.

Students may encounter scenarios involving safety, people, building operations, customer service, environmental concerns, and practical decision-making. The objective is not to trick students with obscure technical facts. It is to evaluate how they reason through everyday situations.

This stage also makes the Facilithon accessible to students from a wide range of programs. A student does not need years of facility management experience to participate. They need curiosity, common sense, and a willingness to learn.

2. The 10-Minute Role-Play Scenario

The role-play stage places students in a realistic facility management situation. They receive a case study, prepare recommendations, and communicate their proposed solution to judges.

The role-play tests whether students can:

• Identify the central problem.
• Recognize affected stakeholders.
• Prioritize safety and continuity.
• Explain options clearly.
• Work through competing needs.
• Present a professional recommendation.

Depending on the event format, students may receive preparation time before presenting. The presentation and question period together create an approximately 10-minute role-play experience.

This is where classroom communication skills become career qualifications. Students learn that a facility manager must be able to speak with executives, contractors, occupants, maintenance teams, emergency responders, and the public.

3. The FM Challenge Emergency Response Simulation

The FM Challenge is the high-pressure portion of the competition. Students receive an emergency scenario and must respond immediately.

There is no extended preparation period. The student must digest the situation, identify priorities, and explain what should happen next.

The FM Challenge may test how a student responds to situations involving a building emergency, service interruption, safety concern, weather event, security issue, or other unexpected disruption. The first priority is always the protection of people, followed by stabilization of the facility and continuity of operations.

For many students, this is the moment when facility management becomes real. They are no longer simply answering questions. They are taking responsibility.

That is powerful. It gives students an opportunity to become the hero in the room.

THE FACILITHON IS A CLASSROOM EXTENSION, NOT AN EXTRA BURDEN

Instructors often ask whether they must create a new facility management course before participating. The answer is no.

The Facilithon is designed to connect with existing instruction. Communication classes can support the role-play. Construction and maintenance programs can reinforce building systems. Business courses can address budgets and stakeholders. Health and safety programs can prepare students for emergency response. Technology and STEM classes can explore building controls, data, energy, and infrastructure.

FM Pipeline Team also provides resources for instructors and advisors, including the Instructor and Advisor Guide, a practice role-play scenario, a practice FM Challenge, and the FaciliTopics educational video series.

These materials help instructors introduce students to the “where, what, and how” of facility management in short, accessible lessons.

131 SCHOLARSHIPS AND A MISSION BUILT AROUND STUDENTS

The FM Pipeline Team, inc. is a 501(c)(3) scholarship-granting organization dedicated to building the next generation of facility management professionals.

To date, the organization has awarded 131 scholarships to support students pursuing facility management-related coursework and career preparation. Scholarships can help reduce the financial barriers associated with technical training, college programs, certifications, and other postsecondary opportunities.

The Facilithon therefore connects three critical pieces:

1. Awareness : Students learn that facility management exists.
2. Qualification : Students demonstrate their judgment and readiness through competition.
3. Opportunity : Students connect with scholarships, education, mentors, and employers.

That pipeline matters. The facility management industry needs prepared professionals, and students need credible pathways into careers that offer stability and growth.

A NATIONAL PROGRAM CONNECTED TO THE INDUSTRY

The Facilithon does not operate in isolation. FM Pipeline Team connects instructors and students with employers, colleges, volunteers, and professional organizations across the built environment.

Students and educators can learn more about the profession through organizations such as:

• IFMA, the International Facility Management Association.
• ASHE, the American Society for Health Care Engineering.
• ConnexFM, the multi-site facilities management network.

These connections help students understand the breadth of the field. A facility management career may lead to healthcare, higher education, corporate real estate, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, government, sports and entertainment, or critical infrastructure.

For schools, the employer connection is equally important. Industry professionals can serve as judges, mentors, guest speakers, scholarship supporters, and career contacts. Instructors gain a direct connection to people who understand current workforce needs.

The result is a more informed student, a stronger school-to-work transition, and a deeper talent pipeline for employers.

BRING THE LIBERAL SCIENCE OF BUILDINGS TO YOUR SCHOOL

The Facilithon is more than a contest. It is an invitation for students to see themselves differently.

A student who is not sure what comes next can discover that their interest in people, buildings, technology, action, or problem-solving has professional value. A technical student can see how their hands-on skills connect to leadership. An instructor can offer a career path that is practical, stable, and nationally connected.

This is the opportunity to make facility management visible: to engage students, enlighten instructors, and energize an industry.

Ready to bring the Facilithon to your school or classroom? Visit the FM Pipeline Team website, review the Instructor and Advisor resources, or contact FM Pipeline Team to learn how your students can participate.

Call and say “Facilithon” or connect your school with the team today. Give your students a go-to career path the day they graduate.

The post The Instructor’s Guide to the Facilithon: Give Your Students a Go-To Career Path the Day They Graduate appeared first on Facilithon.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APPLETON, WI – As the FM Pipeline Team, inc. continues its mission to solve the "problem of the century": the massive talent gap in building operations: the spotlight turns to the Facilithon. This isn’t just another test; it is the industry’s best shot at engaging, enlightening, and energizing the next generation of facility leaders. Whether you are a high school student looking for a high-paying career or an instructor guiding the talent of tomorrow, this ultimate guide breaks down exactly what it takes to dominate the Facilithon floor.

Facility Management (FM), which we call The Liberal Science of Buildings, is a field where the average salary sits at a staggering $104,000. The Facilithon, a national-level SkillsUSA competition, is the gateway to this world. But to win, you need more than just book smarts; you need common sense, a cool head, and the ability to think on your feet.

ITS A THREE-FER: THE COMPETITION STAGES

The Facilithon isn’t designed to trip you up with trick questions. It’s designed to see if you have the "FM DNA." The competition is split into three distinct, high-stakes phases that test your readiness to manage multi-million dollar assets.

1. THE 50-QUESTION COMMON-SENSE QUIZ

The journey starts with a digital sprint. You’ll face 50 multiple-choice questions that help you start to think like facility managers do.

• The Vibe: Educational and logical.
• The Strategy: Don’t overthink it. These questions focus on the basics of building operations, safety, and human psychology.
• Pro Tip: If a question asks how to handle a broken HVAC unit during a heatwave, the answer isn't "ignore it." It’s about prioritizing the comfort and safety of the people inside.

2. THE ROLE-PLAY SCENARIO: COMMAND THE ROOM

This is where the "Liberal Science" meets real-world communication. You’ll be handed a case study: perhaps a budget crisis at an amusement park or a renovation project for a local hospital: and given 15 minutes to prep.

• The Format: 15 minutes to prepare, 5 minutes to present your recommendations, and 5 minutes for the judges to grill you.
• The Goal: Show the judges you can communicate complex ideas simply.
• The Secret Sauce: Identify your stakeholders. Who cares about this problem? The boss? The customers? The maintenance crew? Address them all in your solution.

3. THE FM CHALLENGE: THE LIGHTNING ROUND

This is the "emergency response simulation," and it’s where champions are made. You get zero preparation time. You are presented with a crisis: a water main break, a power outage, or a security breach: and you must react immediately.

• The Timing: 2 minutes to digest, 2 minutes to present your plan.
• The Priority: Life Safety First. In any FM emergency, your first move is always protecting people. Property and "business as usual" come second.

HOW TO PREPARE: TOOLS FOR THE WIN

You wouldn't walk into a burning building without a plan, and you shouldn't walk into the Facilithon without preparation. The FM Pipeline Team has spent years curating resources to ensure every student has a fair shot at the podium.

WATCH THE FACILITOPICS VIDEO SERIES

We’ve produced a 10-minute video series specifically for instructors and students. These videos explain the where, what, and how of the industry. You can find these on our official students page. They are the "cheat code" for understanding the jargon and the mindset required for the quiz.

CONNECT WITH AN FM MENTOR

One of our proudest achievements as a 501(c)(3) scholarship-granting charity is our network of professionals. We encourage every competitor to call and say "volunteer" or "mentor."

"The Facilithon is more than a competition; it’s a bridge between the classroom and a six-figure career," says James Zirbel, Entrepreneur & FM Pipeline Team founder. "When a student stands in front of a professional judge, they aren't just competing for a medal; they are interviewing for their future."

LEVERAGE THE SKILLSUSA FRAMEWORK

The Facilithon operates within the SkillsUSA ecosystem, which means you are already part of a world-class organization. Ensure you follow the official Technical Standards to the letter. Wear your red blazer with pride, bring your resume, and leave your smartwatch in your locker.

THE SPOILS OF WAR: WHY IT MATTERS

Why put yourself through the stress of an emergency simulation? Because the rewards are life-changing. To date, the FM Pipeline Team has awarded over 131 scholarships to deserving students.

NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION STATUS

NATIONAL SKILLSUSA PROGRAM. The Facilithon student competition is a full national-level program in 22 states and counting. This means your win isn't just local; it's recognized by top-tier organizations like IFMA, ASHE, and ConnexFM. When you have "Facilithon Champion" on your resume, you aren't just another applicant: you are a proven commodity in a high-demand field.

THE $104,000 OPPORTUNITY

We aren't joking about the salary. Facility Management is the hidden backbone of our economy. Every hospital, data center, stadium, and school needs an FM. By mastering the three stages of the Facilithon, you are proving you have the temperament for a career that offers both stability and high earning potential.

FINAL TIPS FOR COMPETITION DAY

• Arrive Early: Be at the orientation 10 minutes before it starts. Professionalism starts with the clock.
• Safety First: In your role-play and FM Challenge, if you don't mention safety, you won't win. It’s that simple.
• Think Out Loud: During the FM Challenge, the judges can’t read your mind. Walk them through your steps: "First, I would evacuate the wing. Second, I would call the utility company…"
• The Triple Threat: Be engaging in your presentation, enlightening in your quiz answers, and energizing in your emergency response.

The world needs more facility managers. By mastering the three stages of the Facilithon, you've proven you have what it takes. You aren't just a competitor — you are a qualified, job-ready candidate for a career that offers stability, growth, and a $104,000 average salary. That's the power of the Facilithon.

Ready to get started?
Visit our website to find your local chapter, watch the FaciliTopics series, and connect with a mentor who can help you bring home the gold.

The post ‘Ultimate Guide’ to the Facilithon Competition: Everything You Need to Succeed (A Student’s Guide) appeared first on Facilithon.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APPLETON, WI : In an era where students and parents are increasingly wary of the "college-debt-trap" and searching for stable, lucrative career paths, one industry is stepping into the spotlight with a value proposition that is hard to ignore. Facility Management (FM): which we at FM Pipeline tmTeam, inc. call The Liberal Science of Buildings: is no longer a hidden gem. It is a high-stakes, high-reward profession currently facing what experts call "the problem of the century": a massive talent gap in a field that keeps the world’s infrastructure running.

If you are a student looking for a path that balances technical skill with leadership, or a parent concerned about your child’s financial future, here are 10 critical things you need to know about Facility Management salaries and the extraordinary opportunities within this field.

1. THE SIX-FIGURE MILESTONE: A $104,000 AVERAGE

Let’s lead with the number that stops people in their tracks: the average salary for a Facility Manager is $104,000. While entry-level roles provide a comfortable starting point, the climb to a six-figure income is faster than in many traditional corporate paths. Because the industry is desperate for fresh talent, young professionals who enter the "pipeline" today are finding themselves in high-demand, high-compensation roles before their peers in other industries have even finished their internships.

2. IT’S A RECESSION-PROOF "THREE-FER"

When the economy fluctuates, many jobs disappear. Facility Management is different. Whether a building is at full capacity or temporarily closed, it still needs to be managed, secured, and maintained. This career offers a "three-fer" of benefits: engaging work, enlightening technology, and energizing financial stability. Hospitals, data centers, and schools cannot simply "turn off," making FM one of the most recession-proof industries on the planet.

3. BEYOND THE TOOLBELT: THE LIBERAL SCIENCE OF BUILDINGS

One of the biggest misconceptions is that Facility Management is just "maintenance." In reality, it is a sophisticated blend of psychology, engineering, and business management. A high-paid Facility Manager isn't just fixing a boiler; they are managing multi-million dollar budgets, leading teams of technicians, and optimizing the "user experience" of a workspace. This complexity is exactly why the pay scale is so high.

4. THE SKILLSUSA CONNECTION: YOUR FAST TRACK TO SUCCESS

Through our partnership with SkillsUSA, the nation’s fastest-growing career technical student organization, students can compete in the Facilithon. This national demonstration competition isn't just a contest; it’s a direct audition for employers.

Students who excel in the Facilithon represent the top tier of candidates. They demonstrate a "job-ready" status the day they graduate, which often translates into higher starting salary offers from recruiters who are tired of searching for qualified applicants.

5. SCHOLARSHIPS THAT BRIDGE THE GAP

At FM Pipeline tmTeam, inc., we are a 501(c)(3) scholarship-granting charity. We don't just point the way; we help pay the way. To date, we have awarded over 131 scholarships to students pursuing FM education. By reducing or eliminating student debt, the high salary of an FM professional goes directly into their pocket, rather than toward loan interest. This creates a massive financial head start for young professionals.

6. EARNING WHILE LEARNING

Many FM career paths allow for a "Learn-Earn-Return" model. Many of our partners and supporters, like the Niswonger Foundation, emphasize programs where students can work in entry-level facility roles while completing their certifications or degrees. This means you can start earning a paycheck while your peers are still sitting in a classroom, building seniority and salary potential before you even reach age 22.

7. DIVERSITY OF ENVIRONMENT EQUALS DIVERSITY OF PAY

Where do you want to work? A Facility Manager’s office could be a professional sports stadium, a high-tech Google data center, a massive hospital complex, or a luxury resort. Each of these specialized environments offers different salary incentives. Specialized FM roles: such as those in healthcare: often command even higher premiums due to the critical nature of the building’s operations.

8. TECHNOLOGY IS THE GREAT EQUALIZER

The modern FM professional is a tech wizard. From AI-driven climate control systems to smart-building analytics, the industry is undergoing a digital revolution. Students who are "digital natives" have a natural advantage. Those who can navigate these complex systems are seen as high-value assets by companies like ConnexFM and IFMA, leading to rapid salary increases for those who master the tech.

9. LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL: THE PATH TO DIRECTOR

The $104,000 average is just the midpoint. For those with ambition, the path to "Director of Facilities" or "VP of Operations" is wide open. In these executive roles, salaries can soar well into the $150,000 to $200,000+ range. Because FM touches every part of a business: from safety to sustainability: it is a proven stepping stone to the C-suite.

10. A GLOBAL PIPELINE WITH LOCAL ROOTS

Currently, 22 states participate in the Facilithon, with hundreds of participants each year. Whether you are in Wisconsin, Virginia, or California, the demand for FM professionals is local, national, and global. This means you have the "geographic freedom" to live where you want without sacrificing your earning potential.

"INDUSTRY’S BEST SHOT"

"The talent gap in facility management is the industry's greatest challenge, but for a student, it is the opportunity of a lifetime," says James Zirbel, Chairman of FM Pipeline tmTeam, inc. "We are engaging, enlightening, and energizing the next generation because these buildings don't manage themselves. The Facilithon is our best shot at showing students that they can have a career that is as meaningful as it is lucrative."

JOIN THE PIPELINE TODAY

Are you ready to stop searching for a job and start building a career? The world is waiting for the next generation of building leaders.

• For Students: Talk to your SkillsUSA advisor about entering the Facilithon.
• For Instructors: Contact us to bring the Facilithon to your state.
• For Employers: Connect with us to meet the job-ready students of tomorrow.

Call and say 'Volunteer' or visit our About Us page to see how you can get involved in the national demonstration competition that is changing lives and filling the pipeline.

FM Pipeline tmTeam, inc.
The Liberal Science of Buildings
Email: info@fmpipeline.org
Phone: 612-426-7227

The post Looking For a High-Paying Career? Here Are 10 Things You Should Know About Facility Management Salaries appeared first on Facilithon.

APPLETON, WI : In an era where students and parents are increasingly wary of the “college-debt-trap” and searching for stable, lucrative career paths, one industry is stepping into the spotlight with a value proposition that is hard to ignore. Facility Management (FM): which we at FM Pipeline tmTeam, inc. call The Liberal Science of Buildings: is no longer a hidden gem. It is a high-stakes, high-reward profession currently facing what experts call “the problem of the century”: a massive talent gap in a field that keeps the world’s infrastructure running.

If you are a student looking for a path that balances technical skill with leadership, or a parent concerned about your child’s financial future, here are 10 critical things you need to know about Facility Management salaries and the extraordinary opportunities within this field.

1. THE SIX-FIGURE MILESTONE: A $104,000 AVERAGE

Let’s lead with the number that stops people in their tracks: the average salary for a Facility Manager is $104,000. While entry-level roles provide a comfortable starting point, the climb to a six-figure income is faster than in many traditional corporate paths. Because the industry is desperate for fresh talent, young professionals who enter the “pipeline” today are finding themselves in high-demand, high-compensation roles before their peers in other industries have even finished their internships.

2. IT’S A RECESSION-PROOF “THREE-FER”

When the economy fluctuates, many jobs disappear. Facility Management is different. Whether a building is at full capacity or temporarily closed, it still needs to be managed, secured, and maintained. This career offers a “three-fer” of benefits: engaging work, enlightening technology, and energizing financial stability. Hospitals, data centers, and schools cannot simply “turn off,” making FM one of the most recession-proof industries on the planet.

3. BEYOND THE TOOLBELT: THE LIBERAL SCIENCE OF BUILDINGS

One of the biggest misconceptions is that Facility Management is just “maintenance.” In reality, it is a sophisticated blend of psychology, engineering, and business management. A high-paid Facility Manager isn’t just fixing a boiler; they are managing multi-million dollar budgets, leading teams of technicians, and optimizing the “user experience” of a workspace. This complexity is exactly why the pay scale is so high.

4. THE SKILLSUSA CONNECTION: YOUR FAST TRACK TO SUCCESS

Through our partnership with SkillsUSA, the nation’s fastest-growing career technical student organization, students can compete in the Facilithon. This national demonstration competition isn’t just a contest; it’s a direct audition for employers.

Students who excel in the Facilithon represent the top tier of candidates. They demonstrate a “job-ready” status the day they graduate, which often translates into higher starting salary offers from recruiters who are tired of searching for qualified applicants.

5. SCHOLARSHIPS THAT BRIDGE THE GAP

At FM Pipeline tmTeam, inc., we are a 501(c)(3) scholarship-granting charity. We don’t just point the way; we help pay the way. To date, we have awarded over 131 scholarships to students pursuing FM education. By reducing or eliminating student debt, the high salary of an FM professional goes directly into their pocket, rather than toward loan interest. This creates a massive financial head start for young professionals.

6. EARNING WHILE LEARNING

Many FM career paths allow for a “Learn-Earn-Return” model. Many of our partners and supporters, like the Niswonger Foundation, emphasize programs where students can work in entry-level facility roles while completing their certifications or degrees. This means you can start earning a paycheck while your peers are still sitting in a classroom, building seniority and salary potential before you even reach age 22.

7. DIVERSITY OF ENVIRONMENT EQUALS DIVERSITY OF PAY

Where do you want to work? A Facility Manager’s office could be a professional sports stadium, a high-tech Google data center, a massive hospital complex, or a luxury resort. Each of these specialized environments offers different salary incentives. Specialized FM roles: such as those in healthcare: often command even higher premiums due to the critical nature of the building’s operations.

8. TECHNOLOGY IS THE GREAT EQUALIZER

The modern FM professional is a tech wizard. From AI-driven climate control systems to smart-building analytics, the industry is undergoing a digital revolution. Students who are “digital natives” have a natural advantage. Those who can navigate these complex systems are seen as high-value assets by companies like ConnexFM and IFMA, leading to rapid salary increases for those who master the tech.

9. LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL: THE PATH TO DIRECTOR

The $104,000 average is just the midpoint. For those with ambition, the path to “Director of Facilities” or “VP of Operations” is wide open. In these executive roles, salaries can soar well into the $150,000 to $200,000+ range. Because FM touches every part of a business: from safety to sustainability: it is a proven stepping stone to the C-suite.

10. A GLOBAL PIPELINE WITH LOCAL ROOTS

Currently, 22 states participate in the Facilithon, with hundreds of participants each year. Whether you are in Wisconsin, Virginia, or California, the demand for FM professionals is local, national, and global. This means you have the “geographic freedom” to live where you want without sacrificing your earning potential.

“INDUSTRY’S BEST SHOT”

“The talent gap in facility management is the industry’s greatest challenge, but for a student, it is the opportunity of a lifetime,” says James Zirbel, Chairman of FM Pipeline tmTeam, inc. “We are engaging, enlightening, and energizing the next generation because these buildings don’t manage themselves. The Facilithon is our best shot at showing students that they can have a career that is as meaningful as it is lucrative.”

JOIN THE PIPELINE TODAY

Are you ready to stop searching for a job and start building a career? The world is waiting for the next generation of building leaders.

• For Students: Talk to your SkillsUSA advisor about entering the Facilithon.
• For Instructors: Contact us to bring the Facilithon to your state.
• For Employers: Connect with us to meet the job-ready students of tomorrow.

Call and say ‘Volunteer’ or visit our About Us page to see how you can get involved in the national demonstration competition that is changing lives and filling the pipeline.

FM Pipeline tmTeam, inc.
The Liberal Science of Buildings
Email: info@fmpipeline.org
Phone: 612-426-7227

The post Looking For a High-Paying Career? Here Are 10 Things You Should Know About Facility Management Salaries appeared first on Facilithon.

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September 16, 2025 Madison WI – SkillsUSA Leadership in IL have added the Facilithon to their contest queue for 2026. Katie Bye and Katie Friedland have been coordinating with the FM Pipeline Team, creators and administrators of the Facilithon competition and its related programs. “We’re looking forward to bringing the Facilithon, a leadership competition that lands a career, to Illinois” per Jim Zirbel, Chair at FM Pipeline Team.

The Facilithon’s first date in IL will be at the Fall Conference in Lisle October 17th, running the “Advisors Facilithon” an entertainment experience for instructors to compete like a student and get a better understanding of the Liberal Science of Buildings.  In addition to on-site events, the FM Pipeline Team runs Advisors’ Facilithon online for instructors across the country in spring and fall where attending a first-person conference isn’t a possibility.  See video  here – https://youtu.be/xHoJw66-XH4

The FM  Pipeline Team, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to engaging, enlightening & energizing our #NextGenOfFM. A partnering organization, the team invites both associations and industry supporters to connect and support the Facilithon competition, the first SkillsUSA Leadership competition expressly designed to land a high-paying career at the nexus of the trades, architecture, construction, people, services and the operations of all businesses or institutions with buildings. More info can be found at www.fmpipeline.org.

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October 20, 2025 Lexington KY – The Facilithon Competition, a SkillsUSA introductory experience for Facility Management, Held an “Advisors Facilithon” at the SkillsUSA KY Fall Conference in Hardinsburg on October 1st, which included 50 students participating as well. “I didn’t expect we’d see that crowd, but the world has long since been comfortable with Hybrid” said Jim Zirbel, FM Pipeline Team chairman and presenter at the conference.

The FM Pipeline Team then presented at the Kentucky Society of Healthcare Engineers conference in Lexington, providing members with personalized “Facilithon Landscape Reports” helping KSHE’s leadership better coordinate volunteers for Facilithon competitions in the state.

This will the first year Kentucky has had a Facilithon competition running. State director Kim Woodall also provided the team Ellen Zambrano, State reporter for the SkillsUSA KY student leadership team to be present for KSHE to answer questions and remind industry how smart and bright SkillsUSA students are.

The FM Pipeline team, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to engaging, enlightening & energizing our #NextGenOfFM, through the SkillsUSA Facilithon competition and its related programs. A partnering organization, FM Pipeline welcome associations and industry partners who understand the challenge the skills gap in FM by contacting admin@fmpipeline.org

The post Facilithon Descends on Kentucky! appeared first on Facilithon.

The FM Pipeline Team, in an effort to include academic FM practitioners, will be presenting at the TAPPA 2025 conference in Galveston TX, April 15th 2025. The presentation will be delivered by Magda Alanis-Brady, assistant VP of Facilities operations at University of Houston and Jim Zirbel, Chairman at FM Pipeline Team, Inc. , dedicated to engaging, enlightening and energizing our #NextGenOfFM.

Their presentation will focus on the new opportunity in SkillsUSA’s Texas high school division, where the Facilithon is expected to be offered to a population of 22,000 students in CTE-related programs to compete in district and state events . “Consider the numbers,” said Jim ZIrbel, Chairman, “when you’re talking 22,000 students in one state and 1 in 4 is a great potential candidate, its pretty hard to disagree with.  I’d like to fly out just to see it happen, its a natural mosaic of SkillsUSA and solves for many CTSO’s leadership-type competitions by rendering direct career outcomes.”

The FM pipeline team, Inc. 501c3 is the creator of the SkillsUSA Facilithon competition along with 1 in 30, Facilitopics and Wellhead programs. The organization exists to engage, enlighten & energize our #NextGenOfFM. More information about the Facilithon and other FM Pipeline programs can be found at www.fmpipeline.org

The post FM Pipeline Presentation at TAPPA 2025 conference in Galveston TX April 15th-17th appeared first on Facilithon.

Jim Zirbel, FM Pipeline Team’s Chairman shared “ConnexFM’s partnership with the FM Pipeline is natural”, saying “they’re innovating new models of FM association, its only natural to partner with other innovators to change the game- it takes all of us.”  Kudos to Suzanne, who came in to assist with ConnexFM and successfully ran an online Facilithon for another favored state as well.”

The FM pipeline team, Inc. 501c3 is the creator of the SkillsUSA Facilithon competition along with Facilitopics and Wellhead programs. The organization exists to engage, enlighten & Energize our #NextGenOfFM. More information an be found at www.fmpipeline.org

The post Successful ConnexFM Facilithon competition in Denver, CO appeared first on Facilithon.

March 13th -14th we’re sharing the Facilithon message at our Inaugural Maine competition

April 8th-9th Facilithon Vermont- CTSU – Randolph

May 1st-3rd Facilithon Massachusetts – Royal Plaza Hotel – Marlborough

Join us on these adventures in your state – https://www.fmpipeline.org/2025-state-conferences

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