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“ competence vs. qualification… the future of environmental

auditing ”

Presentation to ASQ EEDAnnual National Conference 2006

Michael CarmodyPresident and CEO

RABQSA International, Inc

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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 ?

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principaloffices

RABQSA international offices

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“ competence vs. qualification

… the future of environmental auditing ! ”

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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 …

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ISO 19011:2002 defines auditor ‘competence’ as …

“… the ability to demonstrate knowledge, skills and personal attributes …”

what is ‘competence’ ?

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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 …

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currently there are two types of environmental

auditor certification schemes available in the

international market …

qualification-based

competency-based

auditor certification

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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 …

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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 …

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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

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RABQSA EMS Scheme Committeestakeholder engagement

scheme designdefinition of competencies

examination of qualifications

and confirmation of

all competencies

RABQSAcertification

evaluation process ...... >

technicalEMS

advisors

trainingexaminatio

nof

knowledge

examiner

on site

examinatio

nof skills

examiner

PAAS

examination

of attributes

examiner

competency based certification

applicant

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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 …

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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

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ISO

“ “ .. the credibility and value of .. the credibility and value of our standards, plans, our standards, plans,

procedures and compliance, procedures and compliance, stands and falls on the stands and falls on the

performance (competence) of performance (competence) of the auditor!”the auditor!”

carmody 2000carmody 2000

ISO CASCO

accreditation

certification

IAF

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questions ?…. where do you see the future of

environmental auditing ?

Michael CarmodyPresident and CEO

RABQSA International, Inc

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