Before and during the course FAQs

Virtual Classroom Training is the same as face to face training with the exception that the training is completed online, allowing you to join from your preferred location including your home or office. We use well-established, user-friendly video conferencing technology to allow you to easily see, hear and talk to the tutor and other delegates throughout the course duration. As with venue-based training, virtual classroom training incorporates a range of engaging teaching techniques including group work, case studies and role-plays. Our online training courses are certified by professional bodies including the CQI and IRCA, IEMA, RSS & IOSH and all delegates receive a certificate upon successful completion.

Whilst preparing ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management Systems - Requirements standard the ISO committee established a number of ‘Information Security Management Principles’ which were considered to be critical in establishing an effective information security management system, these were intended to be used in conjunction with ISO 27001. These principles are outlined in ISO 27000.

The nine information security principles are:

1. Awareness of need for Information Security
2. Assigned responsibility
3. management commitment and stakeholder interests
4.  Enhancing societal values
5. risk assessment to determine acceptable levels of risk from appropriate controls
6. Information networks and systems essential security elements incorporated
7. Incident prevention and detection
8. Comprehensive approach to ISMS management
9. Continual reassessment of ISMS and making appropriate modification

ISO 22301:2019 is the international standard for business continuity management systems. The standard details the structure and requirements for implementing and maintaining a business continuity management system (BCMS). The aim of implementing a BCMS is to ensure the organisation is prepared for disruptions with the aim the business can continue to operate during disruptions. The standard is applicable to organisations of all sizes.

ISO 22301 Clauses 

Clause 4 Context of the organisation - details the requirements for organisations to understand the needs of interested parties and legal requirements

Clause 5 Leadership - provides details of the importance of ensuring top management are committed to the implementation and maintenance of the BCMS

Clause 6 Planning - focuses on addressing risks and opportunities including how the organisation should plan to address these

Clause 7 Support - details the required competence of personnel undertaking work and the importance of awareness of the BCMS

Clause 8 Operation - details the requirements of the business impact analysis

Clause 9 Performance evaluation - focuses on how the organisation shall monitor, measure, analyse and evaluate the BCMS performance

Clause 10 Improvement - details how organisations should react to a nonconformity

To learn more about ISO 22301 and how to undertake an internal audit against ISO 22301 view our ISO 22301 training courses.

To purchase a copy of ISO 22301 please visit the ISO website here.

ISO 27001:2017 recommends for organisations to undertake internal audits at planned intervals (Clause 9.2). Information security management system (ISMS) internal audits are undertake to ensure the organisation conforms to its own ISMS requirements and the requirements of ISO 27001. Internal auditing ensures the management system is implemented and maintained. Internal auditing also allows organisations to identify any nonconformities and opportunities for improvement. To learn more about auditing an ISMS please view our ISO 27001 Internal Auditor training course which provides delegates with the skills to plan, conduct, report and follow up an ISMS internal audit.

There are various reasons why people choose a career in auditing, for some it may be they have been selected to undertake a course in internal auditing by their managers whilst others simply wish to drive improvements within companies. Below are just a few of the benefits of becoming an auditor:

• Competitive salary
• Opportunities to work on a permanent, contracted or freelance basis to meet your requirements
• Career progression, for example into management consultancy roles
• ISO standards are internationally recognised, for example the CQI and IRCA have members in 100 countries
• Many auditors are able to travel within their role visiting various clients
• Play a key part in improving businesses, whether it is in terms of quality, environmentally or in terms of health and safety
• There are various ISO standards to audit against, select a standard which is of interest to you

The virtual courses have all of the benefits of our scheduled course with the added convenience of not having to leave your home. The courses are delivered on Zoom by an expert tutor. Prior to the course date you will be sent the relevant training materials, either via post or virtually if you prefer.  Training includes breakout rooms to ensure they remain interactive. The tutor shares their screen with you and discusses the presentation slides, as they would in a scheduled exam. Our Virtual Classroom Training courses also run with smaller class sizes for maximum tutor-delegate interaction. If the chosen course includes an exam, this will take place via FlexiQuiz, a secure online testing platform.

Prior to the course date you will be provided with relevant contact details for technical support. If you have any technical questions, wish to schedule a Taster session, or general questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Click here to learn more about our Virtual Classroom training.

Auditor Conversion training courses are designed for existing Lead Auditors who wish to expand their knowledge and skills to audit an additional management system. Whilst Lead Auditor training courses are 5 days in length, Auditor Conversion courses are only 3 days (24 hours CPD) as delegates are required to have prior knowledge of auditing.

Despite the courses being shorter than the Lead Auditor courses the certification received on successful completion has the same value as long as the delegate has previously completed Lead Auditor training in another discipline.

For example, if a delegate has previously successfully completed a CQI and IRCA certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor training course and they go on to successfully complete an ISO 45001 Auditor Conversion course they will meet the training requirements for certification as an IRCA OHSMS Auditor. Our CQI & IRCA certified Auditor Conversion courses include:

• ISO 45001 Occupation Health & Safety Management System (OH&SMS) Auditor Conversion course
• ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) Auditor Conversion course
• ISO 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS) Auditor Conversion course

Delegates will acquire the knowledge and skills to undertake 1st, 2nd and 3rd party audits against their chosen management standard.  The courses focus on a central case study to allow delegates to put ideas learnt into practice. The courses concludes with an exam on the final day which is 1 hour 40 minutes in length.

Delegates will require a copy of the relevant ISO standard for the course, standards can be purchased on the ISO website here.

If a delegate has not previously completed a certified Lead Auditor training course in another discipline we would recommend our 5 day CQI and IRCA Lead Auditor training courses.

ELCAS (Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service) is an MoD scheme which provides funding to Service Personnel and Service Leavers in the form of the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELC). The scheme is designed to encourage lifelong learning amongst members of the armed forces including Serving Personnel and Service Leavers from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force (RAF).

Service Personnel and Service Leavers can claim up to 80% of course costs through the scheme. Delegates are required to make a personal contribution of at least 20% towards the total course cost. Eligibility, and the amount you are entitled to claim depends on your length of service and when you left the forces (if applicable) .

Enhanced Learning Credits can be used against all of our CQI & IRCA certified Lead Auditor training courses including our venue based and online training courses. In addition our ISO 9001 Internal Auditor, IEMA Internal Environmental Management Systems Auditor and RSS Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training course have been approved by ELCAS.

For further information about ELCAS, and links to the ELCAS claim forms please visit our ELCAS page.

To view all of our ELCAS approved courses and upcoming course dates visit our ELCAS course listing page.

A typical audit report should be dated, reviewed and approved and contain the following:

• A summary sheet which includes:
  • Audit number
  • process/procedure audited
  • audit date(s)
  • audit objectives, scope and criteria
  • name of auditor(s) and persons contacted
  • audit overview and conclusions
  • list of any nonconformity reports raised
  • list of any observations raised
• The nonconformity reports and observations raised are appended to the report
• A covering note stating the required date of a response to the audit findings

Our Lead Auditor and Internal Auditor training courses teach delegates the skills to undertake audits and create Audit Reports.

Yes, employees can undertake training whilst furloughed. Government guidelines in a sense encourage this by stating that employees ‘must be able to undertake any training [their company] require while on furlough’ and therefore many businesses will see it as an opportunity to upskill their workforce and ensure certificates are up to date prior to them returning to work.

Government guidance also explains that training for employees whilst furloughed is allowed on the basis that they are not making money for their employer (or a company linked or associated to their employer), or providing services to their employer.  Note also that employees undertaking training whilst on furlough must be paid the minimum wage, even if this is more than the 80% of their wage that will be subsidised.

Providing staff with training whilst on furlough is a great way to enhance their skills without the pressure of their usual workload distracting from their studies. Bywater offers online ISO auditing & business improvement training courses within our Virtual Classroom that allow your staff to undertake training at home. In addition, we continue to offer our venue based training courses.

Further details of the government regulations regarding training whilst furloughed can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Please note, the furlough schemed ended on the 30th of September 2021.