Internal Auditors require 3 types of training; formal, theoretical and practical auditor training.
Auditor Formal Training
Formal auditor training must consist of the following:
- Audit principles
- Objectives of an audit.
- Types of audits.
- Benefits of implementing internal audits.
- Different auditing approaches.
- Competences of an auditor.
- Responsibilities of an auditor
- How to Prepare for an audit
- How to Conduct an audit
- Reports and Follow-up
- Evaluations
How to prepare for the audit: Establishing the audit program, defining the elements of the management system to be audited, preparation of checklists, selecting the audit team.
How to conduct an audit: How to contact the auditee, developing the audit plan, carrying out the opening meeting, how to gather evidences, defining findings, conducting the closing meeting.
Reports and Follow-up: Categorization of findings, preparing the report, approval and distribution of the report, monitoring.
Competence and evaluation of auditors: General, personal attributes, knowledge and skills, training and work experience, maintenance and enhancement of skills, auditor evaluation.
Auditor Theoretical Training
In addition to this basic auditor training regarding the skills, knowledge and competences of auditors and how to prepare, conduct and monitor audits, it is essential for internal auditors to fully know and understand the standard that they will be auditing against. Here an additional training session will be required. The most frequent standards that organizations use that require the execution of internal audits are ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001; however, the standards use will depend on the needs and objectives of each organization.
Auditor Practical Training
After an auditor has received this theoretical auditor training, they can now begin their practical training by participating in an internal audit. This practical auditor training usually is done following these steps:
- Participate in at least 2 audits as an observer or auditor in training. Here they usually participate in the planning stage of the audit but when the audit is being conducted they only observe; they do not take any actions in any of the activities during the audit.
- Participate in at least 2 internal audits with supervision of a lead auditor. Here they take a more active role in the preparation and in the conducting of the audit.
- After having successfully carried out a number of internal audits and having sufficient skills, knowledge and experience as an internal auditor, he or she may start to conduct audits as an internal auditor leader. This leader takes full action in all of the stages of the audit.
Note: Training can vary. Each organization may decide to train their auditors in a way that is best for them. It is important for auditors to receive a constant and progressive auditor training that allows them to acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct objective and impartial audits that meet the objectives for which they audits are carried out for.
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ISO Terms Explained
To the novice quality manager, ISO jargon can be extremely overwhelming. What is an NCR? What do you mean by OFI? Are we certified or accredited? But before you go and pull out your hair, let’s take a moment to go over some of the most frequently used terms and their definitions with regards to ISO and Management System Certification.
