Get

chartered:

become a

CQP

Sarah-Jayne Russell explains how IRCA auditors can gain wider professional recognition as Chartered Quality Professionals


Many IRCA certificated auditors are unaware that IRCA was created and is owned by the UK body for quality professionals, the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI). The institute created IRCA in 1984 after the UK government requested it provide a way of assessing the competences of auditors and since then IRCA has expanded massively. There are now thousands of IRCA certificated auditors all over the world.

The CQI has 10,000 members who work in a variety of quality-related roles across a huge range of industry sectors from pharmaceuticals and manufacturing to healthcare and retail. The organization offers its members the opportunity to network as well as to share knowledge with like-minded people and gain wider professional recognition.

Three years ago the CQI gained its royal charter and its members now have the ability to become Chartered Quality Professionals (CQPs). Members have welcomed the opportunity for professional recognition.

Noel John (pictured left), an IRCA certificated Lead Auditor and CQP, says: “Being chartered validates the quality profession and gives us the opportunity to be recognized alongside other professions.”

To become a member of the CQI and a CQP quality professionals must have at least five years’ quality management or systems experience, two of which should be in a managerial or supervisory capacity, alongside a proven knowledge of the CQI’s Body of Quality Knowledge. This knowledge can be demonstrated through the successful completion of quality-related qualifications such as the CQI Diploma in Quality, or through a portfolio of evidence addressing competence in:

  • General quality principles and approaches
  • Quality leadership
  • Reducing cost and supporting improvement and innovation
  • Customer focus and partnerships
  • Conformity, regulation and risk
  • Corporate care and responsibility.

Many IRCA certificated lead and principle auditors will already have all of the relevant work experience and knowledge to become a CQP and a member of the CQI without realizing it. Lead auditors by definition must have five years’ work experience with a significant portion of that in a supervisor role. Furthermore, an auditor’s continuous professional development (CPD) log will hold much of the evidence (qualifications, training and experience) needed in the portfolio described above.

For those auditors not yet at lead auditor level, there is the option of becoming an associate member and working towards CQP status. Both application processes are very similar to renewing an IRCA certification with downloadable application forms and guidance available.

Aside from the increased recognition of becoming a chartered professional, membership and associate membership of the CQI offers auditors access to great networking opportunities that count towards auditors’ CPD. The CQI has an extensive branch network throughout the UK offering local events where members meet to share best practice, discuss hot topics, listen to industry experts or visit interesting companies. There is also a range of events dedicated to celebrating World Quality Day each year.

The CQI also has a number of special interest groups (SIGs) where members working with an interest in a specific industry or quality practice can learn from each other and drive forward quality in their area of expertise. Groups such as the Nuclear SIG, the Pharmaceutical Quality Group and the Deming SIG run events and have online discussion forums for their members.

It is these networking and learning opportunities that offer IRCA auditors the best benefits, according to Noel. “I became a provisional Lead Auditor very soon after joining the CQI, then the IQA, in 1988. I worked my way to Lead Auditor over the following few years at the same time as achieving higher membership levels within the CQI. They went hand in hand and the networking opportunities, contacts and knowledge gained at CQI events enabled me to achieve my goals within both the CQI and IRCA even quicker.

“I can safely say that I would not have the position I hold today nor would I have had such a successful career in quality, safety and environmental management had I not followed the CQI route.”

Aside from branch and SIG activities, CQI members also have access to a range of information resources that can be used for CPD purposes. Each month members receive Qualityworld, the UK’s leading magazine on quality, and its online sister publication QW Express. Through the CQI website, members also have access to back issues of Qualityworld and the complete Body of Quality Knowledge. The CQI also has an online community on LinkedIn, which provides another important place for members to meet and network.

CQI membership is open to quality professionals all over the world. For more information and advice about how to apply for membership visit the CQI website.