The Occupational Skills Testing Authority (OSTA) of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, People's Republic of China (PRC) awarded in April the certifying document bearing the PRC's official seal signifying that the Chinese government recognises facility management as a distinct discipline and career pursuit. The OSTA document also provides formal recognition for IFMA to provide facility management certifiable education in China .

IFMA member and proponent of FM in Hong Kong and China , Philip Lo, was involved in setting up the partnership. He said, “ I think it is a significant step in the development of FM in China .”

Yingbiao Human Resources Ltd., a company recognized by OSTA, will be IFMA's contract bureau and education partner in the PRC. IFMA and Yingbiao signed a partnering agreement in Beijing in July 2006.

Preparing to enter the Chinese market was a four-year process, including several visits between North American and Chinese delegations, educators and subject-matter experts. “Recognition from the PRC government in Beijing is a significant milestone for IFMA and the facility management profession,” said David J. Brady, IFMA's president and chief executive officer. “ China has the world's largest population and a robust expanding economy. There is new construction everywhere—factories, office buildings, airports, hospitals, schools and other facilities are coming online in staggering numbers. The need for facility management knowledge, training and benchmarking is commensurate with this rapid expansion.”

Initially IFMA and Yingbiao will provide a series of courses in China based on IFMA's nine core facility management competencies and will present IFMA's comprehensive Business of FM course at selected times and locations throughout China.. All FM competency courses and supporting materials have been translated from English into Chinese and adapted and customized to fit Chinese culture and business practices. The nine facility management competencies are: planning and project management; real estate; leadership and management; finance; operations and maintenance; quality assessment and innovation; human and environmental factors; communication; and technology.

The business course covers how the facility function can become more visible and achieve greater recognition by all stakeholders in the enterprise—from owners, to co-workers, to customers. It has been tremendously successful in North America, Europe and in other parts of Asia .