Two ways to enter the FM business

Seline, what motivated you to complete the 18-month Global Management Trainee Program?

I completed an internship with one of ISS’s clients, and that’s where I first learned about the Global Management Trainee Program (GMTP). I was already familiar with ISS from my FM studies at ZHAW, where some of the instructors work at ISS. Since I was looking to start my career after completing my FM degree, there was no better option for me than the GMTP. Thanks to the wide range of clients that ISS serves, you get to know the industry better than anywhere else.

Alexandre, you decided to join ISS’s 9-month Future Leaders Program. Why?

Since the service industry has always fascinated me, I completed my studies at the Hotel Management School in Lausanne (EHL). During my first seven years in the luxury hotel industry, one question kept coming back to me: “How can we offer customers the best service?” I wanted to learn more about service interactions throughout the customer journey and took on various roles in front office, finance, events, and sales. Later, at the EHL career days, I became aware of ISS and its talent programs. I was fascinated by how ISS manages locations and buildings on a large scale, and I wanted to learn more about facility management.

How do the programs work?

ALEXANDRE

The Future Leaders Program is a full-time position that combines hands-on work with several theoretical modules. I started in the Transition department, where I supported the team in implementing the QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety & Environment) system for a major client. After three months, my new assignment was to understand how Key Account Management works behind the scenes. Here, everything revolved around client meetings, reporting, and governance. My last assignment took me to the Sales department, but due to internal requirements, I returned to the Transition division to support the team in French-speaking Switzerland with the renewal of a national mandate. In addition to my work, I participated in specialized training sessions at both the local and global levels.

SELINE

‍The GMTP is like a mini-career. At the start, you work side by side with the Placemakers at the client’s site, allowing you to experience various service lines across industries firsthand. I accompanied gardeners and technicians, as well as cleaning staff in the hospital operating room. Then I visited the Letzigrund Stadium and the data center in Zurich. After the initial phase, I deepened my knowledge through assignments with major Swiss clients, in central functions, and during a several-month assignment with ISS in Sweden. The program has even more benefits: Participants come from all over the world, and during the training days, the group meets virtually or in Copenhagen. Each participant is supported by a mentor from senior management. In monthly meetings, I was able to reflect on my experiences and seek advice.

Looking back, what have you learned?

ALEXANDRE

‍As a project manager in the Transition division, you serve as the central point of contact for internal teams and clients. Communication and coordination play a crucial role here. Before a new facility goes into operation, we prepare our specialists from the technical, facilities management, and cleaning departments for their future roles. On the client side, operations and procurement teams are typically involved in a project. Often, these parties have different financial and operational goals. The challenge lies in finding a solution that satisfies both sides - as well as ISS.

SELINE

‍You get to know the provider world from the ground up and pitch in on the front lines. If you understand the work on the front lines, you act with greater focus and are more credible, no matter what role you end up in later. My time in Key Account Management was very educational for me because of the enormous breadth of topics. The extensive network I was able to build through my various department transfers is also invaluable. This way, I know exactly who is dealing with similar issues and who I can reach out to - both nationally and globally. That helps me a great deal today.

What’s the most important thing you took away from the program?

SELINE

‍The program is a springboard. As a trainee, you’re very visible. Doors open, and job offers come your way. I was able to have a say, help shape things, and ultimately choose my area of work. After the 18 months, I knew exactly where my strengths lie and where I want to go.

ALEXANDRE

Facility management is a fast-paced business; it’s easy to get lost in the details. I see things differently now and always keep the big picture in mind without neglecting the important details. As the French proverb says: “Les détails sont sans importance, mais chaque détail a son importance.”

You both hold challenging positions at ISS today. What can you accomplish?

SELINE

As Facility Services Manager, I oversee the newly built campus of a financial services provider and lead a team of 30 employees. I’m responsible for the budget and staff, and I have to ensure that the quality of our services is up to standard. Take sustainability, for example. When it comes to cleaning, we use chemical-free products, and with Smart Cleaning - which uses sensors and robots - we clean only when necessary. It’s important to me to proactively seek out opportunities for optimization to make our operations more innovative, sustainable, and digital.

ALEXANDRE

‍Implementing new contracts often involves setting standards and finding the right approach for the customer - something I’m familiar with from the luxury hotel industry. But to move forward, we need employees who are close to our customers and lead the way with innovative solutions. That’s why exchanging ideas with my colleagues is so important - it helps me understand how things work and how we can continuously improve our performance even beyond the standards.

How do our customers benefit when ISS invests in talent?

SELINE

‍Thanks to the program, the client gets employees who understand facility management from the ground up and have gained experience working in various industries both domestically and abroad. My client, who also thinks globally, values this broad perspective. The client benefits from having someone who is ambitious and brings the skills and knowledge needed to drive the project forward. This creates a win-win situation for me, for ISS, and for the client.

ALEXANDRE

‍The ISS program allows you to build your expertise step by step. The operational framework and structure make it possible to deliver high-quality services. In addition, ISS emphasizes strong values that foster a sense of belonging and identification - both internally and with the client.

What are your next goals?

ALEXANDRE

‍What I like about ISS is that it’s a very dynamic company. What’s true today will likely be different in five or ten years, and you have to reinvent yourself. It’s therefore crucial to acquire enough knowledge to build and lead a successful team so that everything runs like clockwork for our clients.

SELINE

‍My goal is to be the ideal guide through the world of FM - whether for my clients, my team, or all internal and external contacts. I’m committed to doing everything within my sphere of influence to keep operations running smoothly. With the Campus, I have a mandate that I can manage and develop with passion. And that’s the beauty of it: I have an environment that expects this of me and doesn’t hold me back. But it’s also important to exchange ideas within the network and stay on top of what’s happening outside my area of responsibility. The journey is long, and there’s still a lot to learn. You have to be - and stay - curious.

Global Management Trainee Program

The ISS Global Management Trainee Program is a springboard for talented individuals to gain experience in operational, strategic, regional, and global aspects of facility management through an 18-month training program and, upon successful completion, to assume a leadership position at ISS.

Future Leaders Program

For college graduates, this program offers the opportunity to take on a leadership role at ISS through a 9-month intensive, interdisciplinary learning journey. By immersing themselves in the three focus areas - Operations/Key Account Management, Commercial, and Transition - candidates gain in-depth knowledge to tackle challenging tasks in facility management.