Anca Maria Domuta
While working full-time as a Site Manager at Dublin Airport with Mitie Ireland, Anca Maria Domuta embraced the opportunity to upskill, completing the IWFM Level 4 Certificate in Facilities Management at Portobello Institute.
Having spent the past two years in a role she really enjoys, managing a large team and delivering exceptional service every day, the programme was a natural next step in her career – giving her a platform to strengthen her knowledge of facilities management (FM) and support her long-term goal of progressing into more senior positions.
Practice, Progression, and Professional Purpose
Anca’s professional career in Ireland began in 2013 when she started working as a cleaner in a hospital. This role, she points out, gave her valuable first-hand experience of the industry and a strong understanding of service standards, teamwork, and operational delivery.
The pandemic became a turning point in Anca’s journey, giving her the opportunity to return to education. She completed a medical and legal administration course, followed by a project management course, which opened the door to an Area Manager role with a cleaning company.
“Over time, I became more interested in progressing my career, which led me to take on further responsibilities and study,” Anca explains. “This experience inspired me to look beyond delivering cleaning services and explore opportunities to contribute more strategically within facilities management.”
She adds: “While I had gained strong practical experience by working my way up from a cleaning operative to Area Manager and now Site Manager, I recognised the importance of developing a deeper understanding of industry standards, compliance, and best practices.
“I strongly believe in continuous learning and improving every day, which motivated me to further develop my skills through formal education.”
Why Portobello Institute?
When it came to choosing a higher education provider, Anca was impressed by Portobello Institute’s strong reputation and the relevance of its programmes to the facilities management sector.
Having developed a genuine passion for FM, Anca wanted a programme that would help her build on her practical experience while deepening her understanding of areas such as compliance, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
“The programme offered practical, industry-focused knowledge that aligned with my experience and career goals,” says Anca. “It was also recommended by my manager, who had completed it not long before, which gave me additional confidence in its quality and value.”
Another deciding factor was the flexibility of Portobello’s programme, which enabled Anca to study alongside work.
She explains: “I felt it would provide the right balance between academic learning and real-world application to support my career progression. That proved to be the case.
“As the classes were scheduled on Saturday mornings, they did not affect my working schedule. This allowed me to stay focused on both my role and my studies, ensuring I could meet all my responsibilities successfully.”
Applying Learning in the Workplace
Anca describes her time as a Portobello Institute student as both challenging and rewarding. A key achievement, she notes, was balancing full-time work as a Site Manager with her studies, which required strong organisation, commitment, and time management skills.
The programme offered immediate practical benefits, encouraging her to connect academic learning with hands-on experience in a real working environment. It also strengthened her understanding of industry standards and compliance, while supporting her growth in confidence, particularly when it came to decision-making.
“The best thing about studying at Portobello Institute was how practical and relevant the course was to my role,” says Anca. “I was able to apply what I learned directly in my day-to-day work, which made the learning experience especially valuable.
“The support from tutors and the structured approach to learning helped me build confidence and deepen my understanding of facilities management.”
An FM Programme with Immediate Impact
For Anca, one of the practical highlights of her studies was successfully preparing for and supporting a Health and Safety ISO audit, carried out by external auditors from the UK.
As Anca was working as a Site Manager with Mitie at Dublin Airport during her studies, providing cleaning services across Terminal 1 and part of Terminal 2, she was able to apply the knowledge gained from the IWFM Level 4 Certificate directly to her role, enhancing both her daily responsibilities and professional development.
“The knowledge I gained from the course, particularly around compliance, standards, and best practices, helped me approach the audit in a more structured and confident way,” says Anca. “As a result, we successfully passed the audit with no issues raised.”
The programme also supported Anca in improving processes, training her team more effectively, and maintaining high standards across the site. This combination of study and workplace application strengthened her leadership, organisational, and compliance skills, while giving her greater confidence in her decision-making and future progression.
What’s Next for Anca?
Having recently completed the IWFM Level 4 Certificate in Facilities Management and received her certification, Anca is now looking ahead to graduation and the next stage of her FM career.
She reflects: “This qualification has strengthened my knowledge and confidence, helping me approach my role more strategically and preparing me to progress into more senior roles within facilities management.”
When opportunities arise, Anca feels ready to take them on. She is also interested in continuing her professional development through an IWFM Level 5 qualification, further deepening her knowledge and strengthening her leadership and management skills.
Anca says she is grateful for the opportunity to complete the programme and learn from such supportive, knowledgeable tutors – an experience that has reinforced her commitment to ongoing growth.
Looking to Progress in Facilities Management?
Like Anca, you can take the next step in facilities management with a qualification designed to strengthen your skills and enhance your career prospects.
Explore Portobello Institute’s full range of accredited facilities management pathways by visiting the faculty page.
