Quality and Environmental Management Systems Lead Auditor

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this course, you will understand:

• The principles and procedures of auditing
• Auditor roles and responsibilities 
• The benefits of a risk-based audit programme
• How to plan an effective audit
• Timetabling 
• Resource allocation
• Interpersonal skills and personal behaviours of an auditor
• How to conduct effective opening and closing meetings 
• Preparing and distributing an audit report  
• Risk-based thinking and its application to modern management systems
• The process approach and its benefits to business
• The integration of the customer into organisational processes
• Life-cycle assessment and its implications for an organisation’s environmental aspects
• Documentation and evidence requirements 

Course Content

The course is divided into flexible modules, enabling you to attend all modules in the one week, or spread across different sessions. The first 2-day module is equivalent to our ‘Becoming a Skilled Lead Internal/External Auditor’ course, where you will learn to conduct a management systems audit. The remaining modules cover Quality, and Environmental management system requirements respectively.

Timetable

Monday

Management Systems Auditing – preparation

• What is auditing?
• Roles and responsibilities of an auditor and an audit team leader
• The 6 principles of auditing from ISO 19011
• Effective audit planning and timetabling
• Communication skills, interview techniques, and useful questioning methods
• Setting appropriate audit objectives, scope, and criteria
• Developing audit checklists

Tuesday

Management Systems Auditing – the audit

• Conducting an opening meeting
• Identifying objective evidence and taking good notes
• Reviewing auditing scenarios
• Writing audit findings including nonconformities and non-compliances
• Presenting a closing meeting
• Compiling a meaningful audit report

Wednesday

Management systems – what are they?

• History of ISO and the harmonised structure
• Organizational context – external and internal 
• Customers, workers, the community, and shareholders
• Risk-based thinking, the process approach
• Modern management systems

Quality Management Systems

• Prioritising the customer
• Process approach and its application
• Risk-based quality
• Requirements of ISO 9001:2015
• Auditing against ISO 9001:2015

Thursday – Morning

Environmental Management Systems

• Enhanced environmental performance
• Risk-based environmental aspects and impacts
• Life-cycle assessment 
• Requirements of ISO 14001:2015
• Auditing against ISO 14001:2015
• Finish at 12.30pm 

Friday

Auditing scenarios

• Review of Integrated Management System requirements
• IMS audit scenarios
• Writing up findings
• Course review

Qualification

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a Certificate of Attainment which identifies the following 4 Exemplar Global competencies:

1. Exemplar Global AU – Management systems auditing
2. Exemplar Global TL – Leading management systems audit teams
3. Exemplar Global QM – Quality management systems
4. Exemplar Global EM – Environmental management systems

This course has the equivalent of 36 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Assessment

Throughout the course, you will complete a series of workshops which form part of the assessment. A short multiple-choice exam at the completion of each module assesses the knowledge and understanding gained throughout the training. You will receive continual assistance and feedback from the trainer and are given anecdotal examples of real world audit situations.

No homework or take-home assessment. 

Who should attend

Designed to cater to people involved in auditing, system development or system maintenance, you should attend if you:

• want to become an IMS internal auditor
• want to become a 3rd party IMS auditor
• need to write and implement an IMS
• are involved in Quality, Environmental management processes
• are a manager responsible for your Quality and/ Or Environmental auditing
• wish to consolidate your existing knowledge into a formal qualification

Prior experience in auditing and management systems is not essential. 

Study Pathway – Where to from here?

If you wish to become a registered third-party or external Quality and Environmental Management Systems auditor with Exemplar Global, you need to have obtained the competency units from this course.

Additional Exemplar Global competencies for OH&S Management Systems (Exemplar Global OH 45001) may be attended during the same week of training. Competencies for Information Security Management Systems (Exemplar Global IS), and Food Safety Management Systems (Exemplar Global FS), and Business Continuity (Exemplar Global BC) may be attended separately. We also offer courses in Risk Management and Psychological Health and Safety at Work. 

Price

The price of this course is $3,495 (inc. GST). Discounts for multiple attendees are available – please contact us to find out what discounts can be applied.

How to enrol

We offer an easy, streamlined enrolment process – you can either enrol directly into your course online, or call us on 1300 95 96 92 to enrol over the phone.

How to pay

We offer a variety of payment methods:

• Direct debit
• Credit card
• Cheque
• Payment plans

Payment plans

We are able to arrange flexible payment plans on an individual basis. Please be aware that your certificate will be held until full payment has been received.

Delivery

Public – Face-to-face

Our public training courses are offered in multiple convenient locations across Australia, ensuring we can provide education for participants nationwide. You can attend our Integrated Management Systems Lead Auditor courses in most major capital cities, including Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. These locations provide a perfect setting for face-to-face learning, where you can interact directly with our experienced trainers and network with other professionals in the field.

Public – Virtual/Online

If online learning is more your style, we also offer this course via virtual delivery for those who prefer or require flexibility. Our online courses are available to participants in Australia and New Zealand, providing the same premium education as our face-to-face sessions, with the added convenience of online learning. The virtual platform is designed to mimic in-person learning and aims to be engaging and interactive, with real-time group exercises, Q&A sessions, and online assessments. No matter your location, you can benefit from our expert-led training to understand the requirements of the ISO 9001 Quality and ISO 14001 Environment standards and learn how to audit a Quality and Environmental management system.

Please note: Due to licensing restrictions, our virtual courses are open to participants from Australia and NZ only.

In-house – Face-to-face or virtual

In-house training can provide a cost-effective training solution for organisations with a number of staff who require training. We can also customise a course to suit your own individual needs, and include your own audit documentation. Call us on 1300 95 96 92 or complete the form below to request a quote. 

Request an In-house quote