Behind the FM Labor Shortage

Industry Updates

Tim Ballard | ConnexFM

It's old news, and a problem the FM community has been facing for several years now. It's only getting worse: skilled technical workers are in short supply for the industry. You might think that the pandemic or social climate changes had a part to play in this shift, and you wouldn't be wrong, but this challenge has been building for decades with a few clear culprits.

The Data Center Dilemma

One of the most talked-about developments in 2026 has been the rapid expansion of data centers driven by artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. While the public conversation has focused heavily on power consumption, land use, and resource demands, FM professionals are seeing another impact: increased competition for the skilled technical workforce needed to operate complex facilities.

Based on several FM and national news resources, Data Centers have become a major competitor for labor demand in almost every market, especially to those in engineering and specialized fields that help keep the building's fragile equilibrium for its computers, digital communications, and media tech functional. FM teams are increasingly competing for the same pool of technical professionals who support critical facility operations like those with Data Centers, and some are even facing poaching due to such a high demand and low unemployment of supplier employees, meaning it's a great time to be a private technical specialist, and a tough time for FM and Supplier leadership looking to fill staffing needs.

What's The Cause?

There's more than a single cause. The organization, IFMA (International Facility Management Association), spoke in reflection about some of the overarching challenges, including the old guard retiring without new blood to take its place. A gargantuan 45% of the industry is baby boomers, according to IFMA's survey, and many of whom are also approaching retirement age and could leave the workforce within the next decade.

Another aspect of the shortage comes from the diversified advancements in talent. Each year, a greater need for specialists grows, and this creates a gap in what the current pool can provide. Where it used to be that a journeyman electrician could walk into a facility 25 years ago, learn the systems through hands-on experience, and become the person everyone relied on to keep things running, today's facilities demand a much broader range of specialized knowledge. The technical needs of modern buildings now require experts in specific systems and subsystems, with months or years of training and education needed to maintain them efficiently. Decades of experience remain invaluable, but the rapid evolution of building technology means even seasoned professionals must continually develop new technical skills to supplement the needs of exponential growth within the industry.

The door swings both ways on aspects of the times. Older buildings that were constructed during the post-war building boom between the 1950's through the 1970's are starting to show their age, with replacement over repair becoming more and more necessary as foundational aspects of older buildings demand more attention and a greater need for manpower.

So What Can We Do?

Unfortunately, between aging buildings, retiring experts, and an unprecedented explosion of technical specialization, FMs and service providers alike have their work cut out for them. There is no single solution to futureproof against labor shortages, but the place to start is encouraging talented professionals to enter the industry and commit to continuous learning. Fresh perspectives and new ideas will be critical as FM faces one of its most daunting but promising challenges yet: preparing the next generation of professionals to maintain the increasingly complex facilities of tomorrow.