LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Grainger contributed $15,000 to Northern Illinois University to assist in the creation of professional development opportunities for facility managers across the region.

The program, to be known as the Certified Facility Manager Exam Review and Seminar Series, is being created through a partnership between NIU Outreach and the Chicago chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA).

“We are grateful to Grainger for its support of this program and we look forward to working with the Chicago chapter of IFMA to create a curriculum that will enhance career advancement opportunities and increase the earning potential for professional facility managers,” said Donna Mann, assistant director of non-credit programs for NIU Outreach.

According to the university, the Grainger gift will be used to help market the program and to offset the cost of textbooks and course materials for students. NIU Outreach plans to start offering the Certified Facility Manager Exam Review and Seminar Series later this year. The program will be divided into 11 sections covering all aspects of facility management, plus a review session.

“This is a one-of-a-kind program that will offer something for facility managers at all levels, from entry level professionals seeking to learn more about the functional areas of the business, to those preparing to sit for the CFM exam,” said Esther Diamond, president of the Chicago chapter of IFMA. The seminars can be taken individually or as a series to aid in preparation for the CF Management exam.

Having invested more than $370,000, Grainger’s gift reflects an ongoing commitment to technical education, said the company. “Grainger is proud to support the men and women who will be the leaders of tomorrow in the field of facility management,” said Rich Warfield, district branch services manager, Grainger. “We know that in today’s workplace there is an ever-increasing need for skilled trades-people, and we are proud to show our support through this contribution.”

For more information, visit www.grainger.com or www.cfm.niu.edu.

Publication date: 03/17/2008