Developing Tradespeople in FM to Avoid the Loss of Institutional Knowledge due to the Looming Retirement Boom

To tackle the inevitable loss of institutional knowledge in its facilities management department, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Facilities Services department is investigating how developing tradespeople through apprenticeship programs, partnerships with manufacturers and vendors, and leadership development initiatives can lessen the negative impact of knowledge loss due to employees retiring. Professional development of tradespeople working in facilities management is an ideal way to prevent the loss of institutional knowledge due to the coming retirement boom.