The Rise of Temporary Staffing in UK Facilities Management

Facilities Management (FM) plays a critical role in keeping the UK’s buildings safe, compliant and efficient. From hospitals and universities to commercial offices and housing, estates teams are essential for smooth operations. But behind the scenes, a major shift is happening as more organisations rely on temporary staffing and interim recruitment solutions to fill vital FM roles.

According to recent industry research, 82% of UK recruitment turnover now comes from temporary and contract staffing. For facilities management leaders, this reflects a new reality: agile, short-term staffing solutions are no longer optional, they are a necessity.

Why Temporary Staffing is Growing in Facilities Management

1. Labour shortages in skilled FM roles

Brexit, an ageing workforce and fewer apprentices entering the industry have left many employers struggling to secure permanent FM professionals. Critical skilled trades such as:

• Electricians

• HVAC engineers

• Building services engineers

• Compliance officers

…are in particularly short supply. As a result, many estates teams are turning to FM contractors and agency staff to plug skills gaps quickly.

2. The cost of unfilled FM vacancies

An unfilled estates role is more than an inconvenience, it can create serious financial and compliance risks:

• Missed compliance deadlines

• Increased downtime and higher repair costs

• Reduced service levels for tenants and building users

By bringing in temporary facilities management staff, organisations can ensure continuity of service, often within days, keeping estates safe, compliant and operational.

3. Flexibility in an uncertain market

With inflation, ESG targets and shifting workplace needs, many employers are cautious about committing to long-term hires. Temporary FM staffing allows organisations to scale teams up or down depending on demand without the cost and risk of permanent recruitment.

4. Access to specialist project talent

From sustainability retrofits to smart building technology upgrades, many projects require niche expertise for a fixed term. Interim FM staff provide a cost-effective way to access this knowledge without expanding permanent headcount.

The strategic advantage for FM leaders

Temporary recruitment is not just a stopgap, it is becoming a strategic advantage in UK facilities management:

• Speed of hire – positions filled in days not weeks

• Reduced risk – estates remain compliant and operational

• Specialist knowledge – contractors bring fresh experience and proven skills

With the UK facilities management market worth £50bn annually and projected to grow steadily through 2030, demand for flexible staffing solutions will only rise.

The SERT solution: fast, flexible facilities management recruitment

At SERT Recruitment, we specialise in providing temporary and interim FM talent across the UK. Our solutions are designed to give estates leaders speed, reliability and peace of mind:

✓ 48-Hour HVAC & M&E Shortlist – 3 to 5 vetted candidates delivered within 48 hours, ready to mobilise
✓ Interim FM Bench – A curated pool of pre-qualified Facilities Managers available for rapid cover on 3 to 6 month contracts

Whether you need FM contractors, HVAC engineers or interim estates managers, our network ensures estates run without disruption, with no delays, no compliance risks and no downtime.

Final word: why FM leaders are choosing temp staff

The rise of temporary staffing in UK facilities management is not a passing trend. It is the new normal. Facilities leaders who embrace agile, flexible recruitment strategies will be better positioned to adapt, stay compliant and deliver excellence across their estates.

👉 Ready to access top interim FM talent? Speak to SERT Recruitment today and secure your shortlist of candidates within 48 hours.