Course Description

· Certification of persons is one way of confirming competence and providing confidence that the certified persons meet the requirements that are set out in alignment with globally accepted standards and processes for assessment. 

· This course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the standard and its application to bodies that certify personnel against specific requirements. It includes methods for the development and maintenance of certification schemes of personnel. The course also seeks to impart working knowledge on how the requirements outlined in the ISO/IEC 17024:2012 may be interpreted to improve the organization’s processes, personnel and customer service.

Learning Outcomes and Topical Outline

· Understand the general and specific requirements for certification bodies, including organizational structure, management system, personnel, and certification process related to ISO/IEC 17024:2012.

· Learn the terms and definitions related to personnel certification.

· Learn how to provide technically competent certification services.

· Develop and validate certification schemes, evaluation methods and examination procedures.

· Learn how to carry out a job and task analysis for the conformance to the job and task description requirement.

· Intended results of the certification of persons process such as the improve of professional knowledge and manage quality in certification.

· Apply the principles of impartiality, confidentiality, and transparency in the development, implementation, and evaluation of certification schemes.

· Monitor and evaluate the performance of the certification system and the competence of the personnel involved in the certification processes identify opportunities for improvement.

· Learn techniques to manage the security of the exams, materials, documents related to the evaluation process and prevent fraudulent examination practices.

· Apply Risk based thinking, process approach and Plan Do Check Act.

· Understand the differences between certificate and certification.

· Appreciate the benefits of accreditation and the role of accreditation bodies.

Pre-requisites

· Familiarity with ISO 9001:2015 would be an asset

· Basic knowledge of quality management systems is an asset

Target Attendees

· Bodies that Certify Personnel (who are currently accredited or seeking accreditation)

· Management

· Internal Auditors

· Regulators or Specifiers

· Assessors or Consultants

Areas of Focus

· Develop and validate certification schemes, evaluation methods and examination procedures

· Apply risk based thinking, process approach and Plan Do Check Act

· Learn how to provide technically competent certification services

· Become familiar with the structure and requirements of ISO/IEC 17024:2012

· Learn techniques to manage the security of the exams, materials, documents related to the evaluation process and prevent fraudulent examination practices.