Innovative change to IRCA's training model
June sees the introduction of IRCA's new model for auditor training. This marks a substantial move away from the five-day classroom formula that IRCA established 20 years ago and which has become the industry norm. The new approach features two innovations:
Accelerated learning
The new course syllabus focuses on student-centred learning rather than lecture-based tutor input, and encourages auditor training course providers to design learning that allows students to discover knowledge - such as the requirements of a standard - for themselves. The dull days of listening to lectures about ISO 9001 are yielding to task-based courses that help students understand new concepts more profoundly and retain the knowledge for much longer.
Flexible learning
Training providers will now be able to provide auditor training courses in part-time formats and in blended learning formats. IRCA has divided courses into knowledge and skills. 'Blended learning' simply means that students complete the knowledge elements outside the classroom through self-study, e-learning, correspondence courses etc, and apply the skills elements in the classroom.
Many training providers are developing interactive electronic learning formats that will allow busy professionals to complete knowledge elements in their own time and at their own pace. This has implications for employers, who are often reluctant to release staff for five consecutive days, and for students, who can spend more or less time on the areas they need to work on as appropriate.
IRCA anticipates that it will take 18 months to officially convert all courses to the new accelerated learning approach but Vincent Desmond, IRCA's business manager, believes that the first blended learning courses will be available this year.
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