Updates to Requirements for Certification Bodies - digital and in person audits

GWO has made two updates to the Requirement for Certfication Bodies, to smooth the process of both audits in person and digital audits carried out remotely.

The changes are made following feedback and identification of two specific issues.

Requirement 7.4.14

The first issue relates to the instructor/course participant ratio - the number of participants observed by the auditor in an actual audit.

Previously, the requirements stated that the number should be “the maximum able to participate, according to the instructor to course participant ratio in the relevant training module”.

This was found to be counterproductive for training providers who may not be able to accommodate 12 delegates, plus an auditor in the same room/training space. In addition, the wording “maximum ratio” differs between theory and practical lessons (1:12/1:4) resulting in a lack of clarity for all parties.

Change to Requirement:

“The number of participants in the observed training must be at least equivalent to the instructor to course participant maximum in the practical training ratio with 1 instructor”.

Requirements 7.7.1 and 7.7.2

These requirements refers to auditing digital delivery of training. A clash was identified between the two requirements as follows:

7.7.1 “If an already certified training provider wants to be approved for additional training modules or wishes to shift from an already certified method of training delivery to digital training this can be done in two ways:

1) a witnessed audit of each of the new Training Module (s)on an extra-ordinary visit, or

2) during the ordinary surveillance visit where extra time is allocated.

7.7.2 If the training provider is switching parts of the training in an already certified module to a digital delivery, the audit shall only focus on the ability to deliver digitally, and on the measures in the QMS to support the connection between the digital and practical parts.”

To avoid repetition and/or misinterpretation, the reference was removed from 7.7.1 and remains in 7.7.2

Changes to Requirements

7.7.1 “If an already certified training provider wants to be approved for additional training modules this can be done in two ways:

1) a witnessed audit of each of the new Training Module (s)on an extra-ordinary visit, or

2) during the ordinary surveillance visit where extra time is allocated.

7.7.2 If the training provider is switching parts of the training in an already certified module to a digital delivery, the audit shall only focus on the ability to deliver digitally, and on the measures in the QMS to support the connection between the digital and practical parts.”

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