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IPC (International Personnel Certification Association) to start approval function
This move has been prompted by a need for international harmonization, and consistency on the interpretation and application of ISO 17024, the accreditation standard used by personnel certification bodies. Currently, there is significant variation within the accreditation body community in the interpretation and implementation of the ISO 17024 standard and this is recognised as undermining the credibility of the standard and of personnel certification generally. The approval activities are scheduled to commence from 1st October 2007. In order to provide member personnel certification bodies and training approval bodies with a mechanism for mutual recognition during this development period, the planned phasing out of the auditor and training certification criteria and the MLA is extended by 12 months. This means that personnel certification bodies and training approval bodies who are members of the IPC MLA will be able to continue issuing IPC certificates until 30 September, 2007. The MLA will be withdrawn three years after that date, on 30 September, 2010. IRCA Director, Simon Feary (also a director of IPC), stated that, "IRCA has been highlighting the inconsistencies in interpretation of ISO 17024 by accreditation bodies around the world for some time and we fully support this initiative by IPC to remedy that problem. Although some in the accreditation community may be uncomfortable with this development, we feel the initiative should be regarded as complementing rather than competing with the IAF activities. IRCA will continue to contribute to an IAF solution, but our view is that the problem really needs addressing quickly and IPC is best placed to do this effectively." Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – Potential new Criteria! Are you interested in offering IRCA registered CSR Training Courses? In co-operation with AccountAbility IRCA are reviewing the market potential for certified CSR Training. The proposal is for a modular based criteria specification which would be suitable for presentation as individual modules or a 5 day course. The criteria would be designed by AccountAbility and through its progressive approach would provide knowledge and skills objectives from an introductory level through to meeting the training needs for those individuals interested in being an Assurance Practitioner (see CSAP scheme). The draft modules are as follows:
At this stage IRCA are assessing the market potential, therefore would like to know how many companies would interested in presenting certified courses in this subject. If you have views on whether in due course we should look at this type of training please send them to Bill Fenton, Director of Training, at bill.fenton@afaq-eta.com Our new brochure on available open learning courses for the Power Sector can be viewed and downloaded here. The prices of all courses will rise in line with inflation on 1 February 2007 so enrol now if you wish to beat this 3% increase!
AFAQ Our Premier PSP course is unique and is recognised as the industry benchmark for this subject. We have a good relationship with our students, and try to offer as much support as we can, when it is needed. Again, we received further commendation, this time from an overseas PSP student, quoted below:
For more information on this or any of our Power Industry Open Learning courses, please contact Tyla Davis, Training & Development Manager, at tyla.davis@afaq-eta.com
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In August
2006 IPC members voted to establish a personnel certification body approval
body. The new approval body, separate from IPC itself, will conform to the
requirements of ISO 17011, the international standard for bodies providing
accreditation services. 
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