SQT Blog

This is a question we frequently get asked here in SQT.

We have four Environmental Auditing courses.

The first is the:
EMS/Internal Environmental Auditor course

We then have three IEMA approved auditing training courses:

IEMA Approved Foundation Course in Environmental Auditing (Ireland)

IEMA Approved Advanced EMS Auditing Course (Ireland)

IEMA Approved Internal EMS Auditing (Ireland/Northern Ireland)

(EMS Environmental Management System)

The first course, the EMS/Internal Environmental Auditor course is a two day course designed for those who want to:

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This course is very popular and when run in-house, can be tailored to suit company requirements and include an on-site practical audit.

The next three courses are IEMA accredited. IEMA, The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment is an independent, non-profit making organisation, dedicated to raising standards of professional competence in the environmental auditing and environmental management systems auditing fields and is the largest body of environmental auditors world-wide. More information on IEMA can be found on their website here.

The IEMA approved Foundation and Advanced courses are both five day intensive training courses.

The Foundation course will be of interest to company personnel who are responsible for implementing or maintaining the EMS in their company. It will also be of interest to those who are responsible for the internal environmental auditing function within their company.

The Advanced course prepare delegates for the role of environmental auditors/assessors of EMS to standards acceptable to third party certification bodies. Attendees should be familiar with the requirements of ISO 14001/EMAS before attending this course. The course is intended for environmental and quality professionals who have previously attended an IEMA approved course or who have a sound understanding of EMS and who wish to improve their environmental auditing skills and refresh their knowledge of environmental issues and themes.

In other words if you have a good prior knowledge of EMS and need more training in auditing skills, the Advanced course is for you. If you need intensive training in EMS, then the Foundation course is more suitable.

Both five day courses get a lot of material covered. The practical component on both courses is based on a comprehensive case study. With both five day courses, there is continuous assessment of practical work through out the course and a written examination at the end.

A certificate of competence is awarded to participants who satisfactorily complete the course continuous assessment and examination. Both five day courses meet the training requirements for registration as an Associate Environmental Auditor with IEMA. To register for the next level of Environmental Auditor, you will also need to meet the specified auditing hours required by IEMA.

Both five day courses cover European/Irish legislation

Finally we provide the three day IEMA approved Internal EMS Auditing course only as an in-house course. This is similar to the first course I covered above, but is IEMA accredited. This course covers European/Irish but also Northern Ireland legislation.

People who have queries on any of the above can email akelly@sqt.ie.

A common question we get asked is “Should I attend the five day Quality Management Systems Auditor / Lead Auditor or the two day Internal Quality Auditor training course?”

The answer really depends on what level of involvement the individual will have in Quality Management Systems (QMS) auditing – the two day course is for internal auditors who would normally perform internal audits of part of the QMS in addition to their normal “everyday” role. The five day course is for individuals who will have a more detailed involvement in auditing and many will have full-time roles as QMS auditors either of vendors/suppliers or third party organizations, normally auditing the entire QMS.

The aim of the five day Quality Management Systems Auditor/Lead Auditor training course is to provide learners with the in-depth knowledge and skills required to perform external audits i.e. vendor (second party) and independent e.g., certification (third party) audits of Quality Management Systems against ISO 9001, in accordance with ISO 19011. The skills gained can also be used by internal auditors though usually these people will be from larger organizations and/or regulated industries. It is also very useful for those who themselves are audited by customers, or regulatory/certification bodies. Learners have also found it also very beneficial for those who wish to implement or manage Quality Management Systems in their own organizations to meet the requirements of ISO 9001.

The five day course assumes the learner has a good prior knowledge of the standard, though learners can develop their understanding immediately prior to and throughout the course.

The aim of the two day Internal Quality Auditor training course is to provide learners with a good understanding of the structure and purpose of ISO 9001 and the knowledge and skills to perform internal (first party) audits i.e., internal audits within their own organisation of their Quality Management Systems against ISO 9001, in accordance with ISO 19011. It is also useful if they are an auditee i.e., on the receiving end of internal or external audits and for learners who wish to update their organization’s approach to internal QMS auditing, making sure audits add-value and facilitate improvement.

Learners with no prior knowledge of ISO 9001 can be accommodated on the two day course.

On both courses, various exercises are carried out using role-plays, case studies and sample documentation. On In-House courses, the practical exercises can be carried out using the organisation’s own quality system and can be planned to finish with an internal QMS audit carried out by the learners themselves.

Both courses are IRCA certified and delivered by TMS Consultancy, an IRCA approved Training Organisation.

IRCA, the International Register of Certificated Auditors is the world’s original and largest international certification body for auditors of management systems. Learners on both courses are assessed against IRCA criteria. Continuous assessment is used on the two day Internal QMS Auditor course. The five day course is assessed by both continuous assessment and a written examination.

Learners who successfully complete these training courses can go on to be registered with IRCA as auditors provided they meet IRCA’s training, education, work and audit experience requirements for the relevant auditor grade.The requirements for IRCA registration of auditors are here.

I hope this post clarifies the differences between the two courses.