Pros And Cons Of Undertaking ISO Lead Auditor Training

Posted by Richard Bradford
4
Dec 15, 2016
223 Views
If you are considering ISO Lead Auditor training in the New Year, here is some useful information regarding the pros and cons of this career. In truth, with a growing demand for lead auditors across most industries, there really are more pros than cons!

Your first step is to decide which ISO interests you most, and then choose a suitable training provider. The most common ISO management systems used in Australia and New Zealand are ISO 9001 Quality Assurance, ISO 14001 Environmental Management, OHSAS Workplace Safety, AS/NZS 4801 Workplace Safety, and ISO / FSSC Food Safety Management.
 
Choosing Your ISO

In choosing which area interests you most, you should take into account your current area of expertise and field of study. For example, if you already work in the food industry, it would make sense to consider FSSC 22000 lead auditor training.

In choosing a training provider, you should ask four main questions: Are you experienced across all major industries; Are you experienced in International Standards; Are you Exemplar Global certified, and Are your instructors current lead auditors?

Let's say you are interested in quality assurance and management. ISO 9001 lead auditor training would be an excellent choice, and courses are available in Brisbane at SC Training Centre. It is important to note that lead auditors carry a lot of responsibility, so training is fairly intense and runs over five days. I don't see that as a negative, but you should be prepared to study hard.

Quality Assurance Auditing

ISO 9001 lead auditor training is delivered in modules, using both hands-on and theory sessions. You will be assessed throughout the course, and will have to sit a written examination on the final day. Therefore, you should ask yourself if you feel confident in undertaking such a major commitment.

You should also note that the course covers a lot more than just quality assurance issues - something I personally see as a major plus! For example, you will learn all about the history of quality control, as well as communication and reporting skills, the ethics of becoming an auditor, and much more.

If you pass the course you will qualify as a Provisional Auditor with Exemplar Global - but that is really only the beginning. Gaining a certificate isn't a guarantee of work. It is up to you to then gain experience in the field and apply for suitable employment.

Experience Is The key


My advice would be to get as much practical experience as possible, even unpaid, to better prepare you for a more senior and better paid position later on. You might even find that you can start to build up some hours as a subcontractor, before making the final move across.

Many successful lead auditors started out as internal auditors, often within their existing organisation, before taking on lead auditor training. This is a great way of getting the experience you need, while still earning a good living.

ISO 9001 internal auditor courses are also available in Brisbane, and run over two days. Still presented in module form, with both practical and theory sessions, these courses provide an excellent grounding in International Standards and Quality Assurance.
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