Afghanistan launches first QMS auditor training programme

Afghanistan has launched its first internationally certified ISO 9001 Quality Management System Auditor Training Programme, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development.

The USAID Afghan Small and Medium Enterprise Development Project (ASMED), working with development organization Development Alternatives (DAI), identified local technical specialists with basic education, knowledge and experience to become certified auditors. Nineteen such specialists from different SMEs were selected by ASMED to participate in the training initiative, which included five technical specialists from the Afghan National Standards Authority (ANSA).

ASMED worked with compliance and business management solutions company Kelmac Group, the IRCA-accredited training provider for this project.

Commenting on the programme, Ed Nemeroff, project coordinator of the USAID quality initiative in Afghanistan, says: ‘Implementing a long-term strategic plan for the development of a national quality infrastructure is essential for Afghanistan's economic growth.

‘Having qualified, certified quality management system auditors is a major step in achieving this goal. Building a core group of internationally recognized QMS auditors will bring credibility and build confidence that Afghan producers can supply goods and services and are of high quality and are safe.’