Accidental Careers in BMS: What Hidden Entry Paths Reveal About the Building Management Systems Talent Pipeline
Writer: Al Vickers
Published: Nov 4
Reading Time: 3 min read
Building Management Systems Careers and Career Pathways
When we asked professionals what first got them into BMS, most said: “pure accident.”
It’s a story we hear every week. People often discover BMS rather than choose it.
That pattern reveals three big truths:
- The industry’s low visibility
- Unclear entry routes
- Huge potential for change
The Path to BMS Is Often Indirect
A consistent narrative runs through the Smart Buildings community: people arrive here through other disciplines — electrical apprenticeships, HVAC projects, or facilities engineering roles.
That indirect route highlights a long-standing challenge: entry pathways into BMS remain far less defined than in other technical sectors.
The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) pointed to:
- A “lack of new entrants”
- A “skills shortage in smart building control skills” across non-domestic buildings
While the sector is thriving, visibility and awareness remain underdeveloped.
Demand Is Strong, Awareness Isn’t
BCIA data continues to show steady year-on-year growth in the UK BEMS market, driven by:
- Retrofit demand
- Decarbonisation targets
- The race for operational efficiency
Yet many engineers still don’t know BMS exists as a career path.
The opportunity is vast — purpose, innovation, and stability — but awareness is limited.
For employers, that means you can't simply wait for qualified engineers. You may need to build them.
How “Accidental Entry” Shapes the Workforce
When professionals enter BMS by chance, the effects ripple across the talent landscape:
- Engineers often join mid-career rather than through structured graduate routes
- Training and career clarity can be inconsistent
- Salary and progression visibility may vary
The Level 4 BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship exists, but entrant numbers remain modest compared to demand.
The result?
A technically strong but fragmented workforce developed through experience rather than intentional design.
What Employers Can Do
If talent isn’t arriving through a clear route, employers need to rethink how they attract and develop it.
Here’s what works:
Hire from adjacent disciplines:
- Electrical
- Automation
- HVAC
Invest in structured training:
- Manufacturer courses
- Internal controls workshops
Communicate purpose:
Connect BMS to:
- Innovation
- Sustainability
- Building performance
Define clear progression paths:
Service → commissioning → design → analytics → management.
This shifts hiring from reactive to proactive — from competing for the few already aware to engineering your own pipeline.
What Candidates Should Know About BMS Careers
If you found your way into BMS indirectly, you're not alone — and it's not a disadvantage.
The engineers progressing fastest are those who:
- Take ownership of certifications and training
- Explore analytics, IoT, and cloud-based controls
- Understand their value via salary data and benchmarking
- Build a future-ready skill set merging controls, data, and sustainability
Career paths are becoming clearer — from service to commissioning, to design, analytics, or management.
The key is to see the path, and walk it deliberately.
The Role of Recruitment & VIGO’s Value
At VIGO, recruitment in BMS goes far beyond filling vacancies. We focus on:
- Education — helping candidates understand the full scope of the industry
- Translation — showing employers how transferable skills map into BMS
- Insight — using salary data and market intelligence for smarter hiring decisions
When we partner with clients across service, commissioning, and analytics, we're not just sourcing talent —
we’re helping shape the next generation of the BMS workforce.
Accidental Isn’t Weak — It’s Opportunity
The “accidental entry” story in BMS isn’t a flaw; it’s an opportunity.
If so many people found their way here by chance, imagine how many more could be drawn in if pathways were clearer and the value more visible.
For employers, candidates, and recruiters alike, the mission is simple:
Make Building Management Systems a career of choice — not coincidence.
This article is brought to you by VIGO Recruitment,
your partner in finding top talent for Smart Buildings, Building Management Systems, and Energy Optimisation.
Let us help you build your future, one hire at a time.
Follow our VIGO page for insights, jobs & BMS updates:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/vigorecruitment