Facility Management Workforce Development Article
FEA’s Mohammed Arafat explores how the Smithsonian Institution is preserving institutional knowledge and building the next generation of facilities professionals in the Fall 2026 issue of APPA‘s Facilities Manager magazine.
Facilities management organizations across the country face a growing challenge: preserving institutional knowledge as experienced employees retire while preparing the next generation of professionals to take their place.
In his article, “From One Room to a Workforce Model: Lessons from the Smithsonian on Preserving Institutional Knowledge and Building Real Career Paths in Facilities,” published in the Fall 2026 issue of Facilities Manager magazine, Mohammed Arafat, Business Development Specialist at FEA, highlights how the Smithsonian Institution is addressing this challenge through facility management workforce development and its innovative Facilities Management Academy.
Building a Stronger Facilities Management Workforce
The article features insights from Judie Cooper, Associate Director of Facilities Learning and Organizational Development at the Smithsonian Institution, who helped develop the Facilities Management Academy.
What began in 2020 as a single professional development opportunity has grown into a comprehensive program that combines technical training, leadership development, mentorship, and career pathways.
The Academy provides employees with opportunities to strengthen their skills, explore new roles, and prepare for greater responsibilities while preserving the institutional knowledge essential to maintaining the Smithsonian’s extensive facilities portfolio.
Preserving Institutional Knowledge for Future Generations
One of the article’s central themes is the importance of transferring knowledge from experienced employees to the next generation of facilities professionals.
While technical training is essential, facilities management also depends on institutional knowledge gained through years of experience. Understanding how buildings operate, why certain decisions were made, and how systems have evolved is critical to effective facility operations.
The Smithsonian’s approach emphasizes mentorship, cross-training, and structured career development to ensure this knowledge is not lost as employees retire.
As Mohammed explains in the article, workforce development is not simply about filling positions. It is about creating opportunities for employees to grow while building a stronger, more resilient organization.
Lessons for Facilities Leaders
The Smithsonian’s experience offers valuable lessons for facilities management organizations of all sizes. By connecting employee development with organizational needs, facilities leaders can strengthen workforce capabilities, improve knowledge transfer, and establish meaningful career pathways.
The article also reinforces an important message: investing in people is just as essential as investing in facilities.
At FEA, we recognize the critical role that workforce planning, organizational development, and knowledge management play in creating sustainable facilities management programs.
Read Mohammed Arafat’s full article, “From One Room to a Workforce Model,” in the Fall 2026 issue of APPA’s Facilities Manager magazine.
