By Matthew Cotterall
Programmed joins the facility management (FM) sector in recognising this year’s World FM Day theme of cultivating belonging through built environments, we understand the future of FM will not be secured by operational excellence alone, but shaped by how meaningfully we engage the people who keep our environments running.
One useful lens is Programmed’s four ‘whys’ of work: for me (personal purpose and growth), for we (team belonging), for us (supporting family and our dependents) and for all of us (contributing to the broader community).
While technical precision remains essential, it’s no longer enough to attract and retain the FM workforce we need.
People entering the industry are looking for roles that deliver ‘for me’ – purpose, growth and a clear pathway; and ‘for we’ – strong teams where their contribution is seen and valued.
Across Programmed, we’re proud to comprise long-standing team members who have built enduring careers within the organisation, including those who not only stay, but often return. That kind of loyalty is built when individuals can see their progress, teams look out for one another, work is delivered in a way that respects life outside the job and our outcomes serve something bigger.
We build this environment by developing a workforce rich in diverse experience and giving our people the conditions they need to thrive.
We’re seeing encouraging progress in gender representation, particularly through our graduate and apprenticeship pathways. Our most recent Victorian graduate cohort is entirely female, and female participation in our apprentice programs continues to grow, supporting a more inclusive workforce that reflects the customers and communities we work alongside.
But attracting talent is only one part of the equation, the real difference lies in how we develop and support our people once they are here. That is where ‘for me’ becomes tangible, and where leaders play a critical role in creating the conditions for others to succeed.
Technical expertise must be complemented by the ability to engage and empathise, especially in environments such as social housing, where every interaction affects how safe and
respected people feel in their own homes.
At Programmed, we invest in training so our people and vendor networks can approach each interaction with understanding and care, strengthening trust for all of us.
Internally, we reinforce this through ongoing development in cultural awareness, diversity, equity and inclusion and mental health, building practical capabilities that help teams collaborate well ‘for we’ and keep sight of the human impact of the spaces we manage.
We also ensure our people can see a clear path forward, through opportunities such as our Internal Mentoring and Leadership Essentials programs. This investment supports ambition and capability, while helping create stable, sustainable careers for the families and households that rely on dependable work.
A connection to the communities we operate in is essential in fostering belonging ‘for all of us’. Initiatives such as the Wadjemup Cup, partnerships with organisations like the Clontarf Foundation, volunteer leave and other engagement efforts enable our people to contribute beyond their core roles, deepening their connection to the purpose of our work.
Together, these elements create an enduring employee experience and deliver better outcomes for customers. When work is meaningful for the individual, greater care, commitment and pride follow naturally, reflected in the way our people go above and beyond for customers, local communities and each other.
Our people are central to our success as FM evolves in response to changing technologies and customer expectations. By investing in their growth and creating environments where they feel they belong, we strengthen our workforce and help build a more meaningful future for the industry.
Matthew Cotterall is the executive general manager at Programmed Facility Management
Image: Supplied
This article first appeared in the May 2026 edition of FM magazine. To download the entire edition for free, click here.
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