Competence vs Qualification: The Future of Environmental Auditing

2. “ competence vs. qualification … the future of environmental auditing ” Presentation to ASQ EED Annual National Conference 2006 Michael Carmody President and CEO RABQSA International, Inc

3. RABQSA International is an accredited (ISO/IEC17024:2003) international personnel certification body that provides personnel and training certification services worldwide “… we define, measure and examine personnel competence specific to industry requirements! ....” who is RABQSA ?

4. RABQSA international offices principal offices

5. “ competence vs. qualification … the future of environmental auditing ! ”

6. do you consider yourself competent if so … why against what do you judge your competence has this ‘standard’ been defined, measured and independently examined if so by who … and are they competent observations …

7. ISO 19011:2002 defines auditor ‘competence’ as … “… the ability to demonstrate knowledge, skills and personal attributes …” what is ‘competence’ ?

8. in support of 19011 RABQSA defines competence as …. “… the ability to demonstrate a specific environmental auditing task to the required standard of performance under specific auditing conditions” a simple definition …

9. currently there are two types of environmental auditor certification schemes available in the international market … qualification-based competency-based auditor certification  

10. relies on … attendance at a training course maintenance of audit logs (days auditing) evidence of an audit report maintenance of CPD logs (days spent in PD) years ‘experience’ ….. none of above requirements provide an objective measurement of competence ! qualification based …

11. relies on … examination of defined auditing and environmental knowledge examination of defined auditing skills examination of specific personal attributes specific to the environment industry sector recognition of specific environmental and related tertiary qualifications ….. competencies are defined and measured by the environmental industry (market) in which the auditor provides his/her services! competency based …

12. competency based EMS auditor certification demands … definition of the auditing task and associated risk description of the auditing conditions measurement (to what standard of performance?) objective, reliable and impartial examination …. if you cannot measure, you cannot examine ! competence … it’s hard work

13. examination ofattributes   PAAS  RABQSA certification  examiner  training evaluation process ...... >  on site   examination of skills examination of knowledge examiner examiner competency based certification examination of qualifications and confirmation of all competencies RABQSA EMS Scheme Committee stakeholder engagement scheme design definition of competencies technical EMS advisors applicant

14. Qualification-based EMS Auditor all grades with industry scopes Competency-based EMS Safety Auditor accredited to ISO/IEC17024:2003 all grades with industry scopes RABQSA certifications …

15. essentially ‘where the rubber hits the road’ in terms of the credibility of conformity assessment must add tangible (measurable) value to the business … in addition to compliance auditors will need to speak and understand ‘business language’ emphasis on ‘auditing to the required industry sector standard (competence!) … not producing and relying on qualifications! risk based auditors must improve their competence thru’ directed CPD (and examination) future of EMS safety auditing

16. ISO CASCO IAF accreditation certification ISO “ .. the credibility and value of our standards, plans, procedures and compliance, stands and falls on the performance (competence) of the auditor!” carmody 2000

17. questions ? …. where do you see the future of environmental auditing ? Michael Carmody President and CEO RABQSA International, Inc