RABQSA Certified Quality Management
System Lead Auditor
RABQSA has been accredited by the
Joint Accreditation System - Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) to
the international standard, ISO/IEC 17024:2003 'General Requirements
for bodies operating the certification of persons' with a scope that
includes Quality Auditor, Environmental Auditor, Occupational Health
and Safety Auditor and Food Safety Auditor certification schemes.
RABQSA Certification formally recognizes the competence of personnel,
with the objective of improving the performance of organizations in
terms of efficiency, effectiveness and competitiveness. The engagement
of RABQSA certified personnel provides organizations with the confidence
that the skills and knowledge utilized have been independently examined
through processes that meet the internationally recognized standard
for personnel certification, ISO/IEC 17024:2003.
| |
 |
Competency-Based
Personnel Certification provides confidence that auditors certified
by RABQSA have demonstrated the specific competencies defined by industry
as requirements for auditors who work in each industry sector.
Competency-based certification means
that RABQSA will examine the auditor's knowledge, skills, personal
attributes and qualifications specific to the scheme and/or scope
of certification.
-
Knowledge Examination
- examination of knowledge based competencies during training
conducted by RABQSA certified Training Providers
-
Skill Examination - In
the traditional terms a 'witnessed audit' by an Approved Skill
Examiner, to provide confidence that applicants can demonstrate
the required skills
-
PAAS Master® - Personal
Attribute Assessment
-
Qualifications - Evidence
of formal education, training and/or work experience.
Qualification-Based Personnel Certification schemes are based on the
applicant's education and qualifications, rather than on the basis
of measurable competence.
-
Formal Education - The requirement
for completion of secondary education and in addition, hold relevant
tertiary qualifications such as a degree, diploma or advanced
certificate.
-
Audit Training - Applicants
are required to have completed a RABQSA recognized auditor training
course and/or competency examination within the three years prior
to application.
-
Work Experience - Applicants
are required to demonstrate work experience in a technical or
managerial position involving the exercise of judgment, problem
solving and communication with other managerial personnel, peers,
customers and/or other interested parties
-
Auditing Experience - Applicants
are required to submit an audit log in order to demonstrate their
auditing experience.
The auditor certification process
begins with an application. Each application is assessed by the RABQSA
Scheme Examiner for completeness and relevance of information provided
to the type and grade of certification sought. Evaluation against
the criteria is conducted using documentary evidence and verification
of information and auditor performance through personal contact with
the application sponsors and, where applicable, auditees and verifying
auditors. Where required, the Examiner will seek additional information
from the applicant.
All applications, having been assessed
by the Examiner, are submitted to the relevant Scheme Examination
Panel which then makes a recommendation to the RABQSA CEO on whether
to award certification, the appropriate grade and where applicable,
the scope of certification.
Scheme Examination Panels are comprised
of representatives from industry in each discipline for certification
and, in addition to assessing applications for certification, provide
technical expertise and advice to RABQSA on issues related to auditor
certification. In some cases, technical input may also be sought from
the country of the applicant to ensure that local and regional variations
in any applications are acceptable. The Technical Advisors may request
additional supporting information or require the applicant to participate
in an interview. Interviews may be conducted by phone or face-to-face
involving at least two Technical Advisors s and a RABQSA representative
and are arranged for the purpose of clarifying issues of technical
competence.
Auditing Experience
Auditors are required to have participated
in at least four complete management system audits in the scheme of
certification totaling at least twenty days duration in the previous
three years.
Principal Auditors are required
to have participated in at least four complete management system audits
in the scheme of certification totaling at least twenty days duration
in the previous three years. At least two of these audits, and a total
of at least ten audit days, are required to have been performed either
as the role of team leader or as a solo auditor.
Lead Auditors are required to have
participated in at least seven complete management system audits in
the scheme of certification totaling at least thirty-five days duration
in the previous three years. At least three of these audits, and at
least fifteen audit days, are required to have been in the role of
team leader. At least one of these audits conducted as team leader
must be witnessed by an approved witnessing auditor.
To maintain certification, all certified
personnel are required to demonstrate continuing competence against
the current certification criteria for the type and grade of certification
awarded. Every two years from the date of initial certification or
each re-certification, certified personnel must demonstrate continuing
compliance with the current certification criteria by providing:
-
Evidence of continuing auditing
experience
-
Evidence of current knowledge
competencies through successful completion of the relevant RABQSA
e-based examination for the type and grade of certification; and
-
Confirmation that the Code
of Conduct has been adhered to and any complaints against performance
have been resolved.
Every four years from the date of
initial certification and each subsequent re-certification, certified
personnel must demonstrate continuing compliance with the current
certification criteria by providing:
-
Evidence of examination of
skills competencies by an RABQSA Examiner appropriate to the type
and grade of certification;
-
Evidence of evaluation of personal
attributes by completion of the RABQSA PAAS Master® evaluation;
-
Confirmation that the Code
of Conduct has been adhered to and any complaints against performance
have been resolved.
For re-certification, all
auditors are required to undertake at least forty-five hours of appropriate
continuing professional development every three years. Verifiable
evidence of that professional development undertaken is required to
be submitted as part of the application for re-certification.
More information on specific requirements
to achieve and maintain QMS-LA certification can be obtained at www.RABQSA.com.
