Experts: education is key to association success

OAMs will have to attend one module of the foundation in FM course.

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Owners Association Managers must undergo an education process prior to them taking on the role, experts agreed at a recent MEFMA networking meeting.

The meeting, held on Tuesday 6 September, focused on the results that came through from the group study called ‘association managers with respect to FM strategies.’

Jeevan D’Mello, senior director, Emaar Community Management said: “being an AM is quite a different business from being an FM because in an OAM role, you have to deal with many issues pertaining to customer interaction, dealing with boards and they are not the easiest group of people to deal with - those of us that are OAMs know that.

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“There needs to be some sort of education process and some sort of educational qualification before these OAMs or wannabe OAMs get a trade license.”

He mentioned that the focus group had looked at best practice from western countries that had established OAM companies and found that the success of the associations was down to the continuing education process for OAMs and FMs, ensuring that they were up to date with their respected skill sets.

MEFMA launched a course following the findings and is now working closely with RERA to tighten up standards in recruiting OAMs.

“As part of the OAM training, you need to attend a module with respect to FM [foundation in FM course]. RERA is playing a very strong role now in ensuring that OAMs comply,” explained D’Mello.

“If an AM company goes to RERA to get a trade license, RERA asks them, do you have the required skills? Do you have FM people [on payroll]? Not just anyone can get a license.”