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Moving from the Trades to FM: Career Pathways, Succession Planning & Resume Strategies

Episode Summary

Host Wayne Whitzell talks with recruiter Amanda St. John and facilities leader Jeff Boling about helping skilled trades professionals move into facility management. They explain how technical expertise transfers, why succession planning and mentoring matter, and how to demonstrate readiness through a resume, credentials, curiosity and cross-functional experience.

Episode Notes

Are you ready to move out from behind the wrench and step into a broader facility management career? In this episode of the Connected FM podcast, host Wayne Whitzell, Senior VP Strategic Accounts, SOLID Surface Care and First Vice Chair, IFMA Global Executive Board, sits down with Principal Executive Recruiter, Amanda St. John and Senior Portfolio Director Jeff Boling to discuss the pathways from technical trades to facility management.

Together, they discuss:

  • Translating Technical Skills: Recognizing that engineers and technicians are already natural project managers and problem solvers who manage critical 24/7 uptime environments.
  • Overcoming "Wing Clipping": Why organizations and leaders must foster a culture of succession planning and train their replacements instead of hoarding technical talent.
  • Resumes That Show Impact: How to move beyond listing routine responsibilities to highlight portfolio scope, square footage, critical spaces, and bottom-line impact.
  • The Value of Credentials: How professional certifications like IFMA's FMP demonstrate a serious commitment to finance, project management, and industry leadership.
  • Jeff Boling’s Career Journey: A first-hand look at moving from an HVAC controls technician to managing large-scale operations.

This episode of Connected FM is sponsored by Tork. Whether you’re managing office buildings, healthcare facilities, or high-traffic spaces, Tork offers hygiene products and smart dispensing solutions designed for today's dynamic workplaces. Head over to torkglobal.com to explore their full range of products.

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Show Contributors

  • Wayne Whitzell
  • Jeff Boling
  • Amanda St. John
  • Elizabeth Shelton

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