Fully prepared for the customer (3rd party) ISO 9001 audit in September

Chris from RB Safety Consultants attended the ISO 9001 Lead Auditor training course in Manchester, and has complemented his existing experience with formal training and certification.  It has allowed him to gain a fuller understanding of 3rd party audits and their requirements.

What were your training objectives?

I was already undertaking audits for a client and wanted to formalise my Qualification for doing so. Some of my audits have been to check personnel qualifications and I didn’t feel comfortable questioning them when I didn’t have any formal qualifications to do so. Throughout my Royal Navy career and subsequent civilian career I have always used SQEP – (Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel) to undertake roles. This course added the Qualification aspect for me; I was already acquiring the Experience.

What learning did you take from the course?

I took a lot away from the course –

• Proved I was completing the audits properly albeit with some minor improvements.
• Gave me an idea of the bigger strategic picture where my audits fitted in with the company’s Mission statement and ongoing business.

Have you been able to apply anything since the course?

I have applied the audit meeting structure to my meetings. Not all of it but I always have one eye on the end game and a successful audit – sometimes this is preparing the ground better and sometimes being realistic with the customer. I think I always did this but now I make sure I do it and I understand why I do it.

What have been the benefits for you and the business?

The benefits will come I think when I complete in September and the customer successfully passes the audit, when we analyse the project I think there will have been a difference since June and completing the course. I think it will make the path to completion easier!

How was the tutor?

Brilliant, very good instructor, interesting, motivated and I liked the real life applications he could tell us about. His experience meant we benefited from understanding real life examples and the fact problems do occur and how to resolve them.

What was the venue like?

Lovely venue, good accommodation, conference room was ideal , the staff were excellent – very helpful , always supplying us with cakes , coffee etc Very very attentive, I did leave feedback at the hotel to that effect.

Any advice to delegates?

The only thing I think you could do to improve understanding prior to the training is either to have done an audit, been audited or just ask your companies Quality Team / Internal Audit Team about your companies audit process . Having some prior knowledge about where an audit fits in with your role would be beneficial . It is easier to see how the different types /components of audit affect you.

Would you recommend Bywater?

Absolutely. I  thought it was faultless.

RB Safety Consultants