Facilities management is becoming increasingly critical to the success of school districts and colleges. With the growing demands for sustainable, efficient, and technology-driven campuses, the role of facility managers is set to expand dramatically. By 2025 and beyond, key trends will shape how facility management and maintenance functions are carried out in educational institutions, focusing on efficiency, adaptability, and future-proofing campus infrastructure.
1. Enhanced Campus Security and Safety
Safety and security will continue to be a top priority for facilities managers. Technologies such as interactive mapping with integrated emergency response protocols will create safer campus environments. Facility managers will oversee these systems' implementation, maintenance, and monitoring to ensure they function seamlessly, improving safety and operational efficiency.
2. Flexible Spaces
The shift towards hybrid learning has redefined space utilization in education. Facility managers must maintain and reconfigure classrooms, libraries, and common areas to accommodate in-person and virtual learning. Spaces will become more flexible, featuring adaptable layouts that support collaborative, hybrid learning environments. The demand for multipurpose spaces means that facility teams will be tasked with keeping these areas functional, efficient, and easy to reconfigure.
3. Preventive Maintenance as a Standard Practice
As campuses grow more complex, preventive maintenance will become the norm. Facility managers will shift from reactive repairs to scheduled maintenance plans, ensuring equipment, buildings, and infrastructure are serviced regularly to prevent costly downtime. Facility management software systems will make it easier to track work orders, schedule maintenance tasks, and assess the condition of critical assets, extending their useful life.
4. Sustainability and Energy Management
With growing pressure to reduce carbon footprints, educational institutions are increasingly adopting sustainable practices. By 2025, facility managers will make campuses more energy-efficient by deploying energy management systems that track and optimize energy use. Renewable energy sources like solar panels and geothermal systems will become common, along with green building certifications. These efforts will lower operational costs and align with institutional goals of environmental responsibility and long-term cost savings.
By embracing these trends, facility managers in higher education will lead their institutions into a future of more innovative, adaptable, and energy-efficient campuses, ensuring that the physical infrastructure supports the evolving needs of students and faculty.