Training and qualifications relevant to estate management
Published 23 April 2025
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/estate-management-competency-framework-and-relevant-training/training-and-qualifications-relevant-to-estate-management
This guidance gives information on training and qualifications that are relevant to the functions and competency levels in the Estate management: competency framework.
School Estate Management Standards has guidance on policies and processes required to manage the school estate effectively.
The Government Property Profession career framework also has useful information.
There are many providers who offer estate management training, depending on your location.
The Department for Education (DfE) does not endorse organisations or training.
The Health and Safety Executive has a list of training providers.
Relevant training
The competency framework has information on:
- competency levels that reflect the various levels of roles and responsibility for estates management in the school environment
- the 7 functions of estate management, aligned to the Good estate management for schools (GEMS) guidance
This table gives information on the training relevant to competency levels and the functions of estate management.
| Operative | Supervisor | Manager | Strategic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos awareness - for roles in health and safety, compliance and maintaining your estate | Asbestos awareness | Asbestos for duty holders - for health and safety and compliance roles | ISO 14001:2015 Foundation (ISO 14001, ISO 14004), basic concepts of environmental management |
| Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) regulations 2015 awareness - for health and safety and compliance roles | CDM regulations 2015 awareness | CDM regulations 2015 awareness | Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) Associate Course and BREEAM Foundation |
| Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) awareness training - for health and safety and compliance roles | COSHH awareness training | COSHH awareness training | Not applicable |
| Environmental awareness - for performance management and sustainability roles | Environmental awareness | Environmental awareness | Not applicable |
| Fire safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) | Fire safety and PPE | Fire safety and PPE | Not applicable |
| Health and safety awareness - relevant to all roles | Health and safety awareness | Health and safety awareness | Not applicable |
| Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) working safely - for health and safety and compliance roles | IOSH working safely | IOSH working safely | Not applicable |
| Ladders training - for health and safety and compliance roles | Ladders training | Ladders training | Not applicable |
| Legionella awareness - for health and safety and compliance roles | Legionella awareness | Legionella awareness | Not applicable |
| Lone working - for health and safety and compliance roles | Lone working | Lone working | Not applicable |
| Managing contractors - for health and safety and compliance roles | Managing contractors | Managing contractors | Not applicable |
| Manual handling - for roles in health and safety, compliance and maintaining your estate | Manual handling | Manual handling | Not applicable |
| Not applicable | National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) - for health and safety roles | NEBOSH | Not applicable |
| Portable appliance testing (PAT) - for health and safety and compliance roles | PAT testing | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Working at height - for roles in health and safety, compliance and maintaining your estate | Working at height | Working at height | Not applicable |
| Not applicable | Not applicable | Site Sustainability Manager (BRE) ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and BREEAM requirements | Not applicable |
Professional qualifications and memberships
Professional qualifications
The Institute of Workplace and Facilities management (IWFM) professional qualifications are relevant to all roles in the competency framework.
- Level 2 is relevant to operative roles
- Level 3 is relevant to supervisor roles
- Level 4 and Level 5 are relevant to manager roles
- Level 6 and Level 7 are relevant to strategic roles
Memberships
At a strategic level, estates directors, regional directors or head of estates may also want to consider the following memberships:
- Member of Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET)
- Member or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB/ FCIOB)
- Member of the Association of Project Management (MAPM)
- Member or Fellow of Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers (MCIBSE/ FCIBSE)
- Associate or full Member/ Fellow of Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (AssocRICS/ MRICS. FRICS)
Get further information and support
Most local authorities offer training in financial management for their local schools and may offer services to other schools too.
The following organisations provide training and support for school leaders.
Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) is a professional body representing school, college and education system leaders across the UK.
Catholic Education Service (CES) acts on behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference to support Catholic education and provides information, guidance, resources and model CES documents.
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is the professional body for people in public finance and provides information, guidance, resources and model CES documents.
Church of England Education Office works in partnership with the dioceses to support Church of England schools in England and Wales.
The Confederation of Schools Trusts (CST) is a national school membership network that promotes school autonomy and highlights where self-governance has been a success.
Eco Schools is global programme which aims to raise environmental awareness in schools.
Educational Building and Development Officers Group (EBDOG) represents local authorities on all issues associated with education, property and capital planning.
Government Property Profession career framework supports the development of property professionals across government.
Hub4Leaders - FED Education offers policy and compliance solutions for school leaders and governors.
Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) represents and supports the school business management profession in the running of efficient schools.
The Key is a national information service providing guidance and practical resources for school leaders.
National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) is an independent trade union and professional association whose services include direct support and training on resource management.
National Governance Association (NGA) is an independent charity that supports and promotes good governance in schools. It provides information, advice, guidance, research and training.
The Royal Society for the Prevention against Accidents (RoSPA) offers training, advice and guidance about the prevention of accidents and injuries in a variety of settings.
The Trust Network helps members develop effective, efficient and economically sustainable systems that maintain and develop building estates that enhance teaching and learning.