Bulletin 06/05: 21 July 2005

NEWS FROM IEMA

The agenda of the G8 meeting at Gleneagles was turned upside down when the news about the terrorist bombings in London came in. Having received messages of solidarity and support from other world leaders, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair rushed back to London but rejoined the G8 on Thursday evening.

In the meantime, officials continued to work on a final compromise text concerning climate change. But as the London 7 July attack brought world leaders' attention back to the 'war on terror', the plight of the African continent and the long-term battle against climate change may turn out to be further victims of the bombings.

The climate change agreement, which is expected to get official blessing on Friday morning, includes wording which admits that global warming is happening and that it is "partially" due to human activities. It will shy away, however, from mentioning concrete actions and focuses strongly on technological solutions to adapt to climate change. With this compromise, Europeans as well as Americans would be able to claim victory. American President George Bush received strong backing on the opening day of the Gleneagles conference from a UK House of Lords report on the economic costs of tackling climate change.

On the other hand, the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit published a report this week predicting extreme changing weather patterns across Europe over the next eighty years. The findings of the MICE (Modeling the impact of climate extremes) report indicate that:  

       Heat waves will become hotter and last longer over much of Europe;

       Cold days with temperatures below freezing will decrease by up to four months in Northern Europe by 2070;

       Southern Europe and the Mediterranean will experience drier prolonged droughts and reduced rainfall;

       There will be an increase in winter rain over most of Europe leading to greater flood risk and water pollution.

NEWS FROM IRCA

CPD is a framework that encourages auditors to continuously update their professional knowledge, personal skills and competencies. CPD aims to make you more effective as an auditor and add credibility to the auditing profession. The concept of CPD and the value it contributes is now recognised and accepted in all professions. As part of the renewal of certification process, you must demonstrate that you have completed at least 45 hours CPD within the last 3 years in subjects that are broadly related to auditing and management systems.  

IRCA recognise a wide range of topics, which can enhance auditor competence (i.e. topics acceptable for CPD).  These are categorised  into sections relating to the main areas of competence required by auditors: technical (i.e. quality, environment, occupational health and safety etc.) and auditing. 

CPD that is acquired both informally (i.e reading and self study) and formally (i.e. classroom training). Certain methods of acquiring CPD are more effective than others, therefore they give some activities greater recognition than others. Evidence can be provided (using the from any or all of the categories below:

       unstructured: 3 hours are accepted as 1 CPD hour (for unstructured evidence only, this can not exceed 15 CPD hours)

       distance and open learning study which is not assessed and does not lead to a qualification.

       Reading professional and technical journals, books and other publications

       Relevant aspects of on job training, where specific outcomes have been planned and identified

       semi-structured: 2 hours are accepted as 1 CPD hour

§         non-interactive lectures, talks etc.

§         informal professional body meetings of a more social nature (networking opportunities)

§         research, preparation and first delivery of lectures/courses

§         publishing articles and forms from open and distance learning that involve assessment and result in a qualification

       structured: each hour is accepted as 1 CPD hour

§         interactive and highly participative training courses and seminars

§         professional body meetings with formal lectures

§         active participation in the development of standards

The new AFAQ-ETA interactive CD course on ISO 9000:2000 will help with CPD.

NEWS FROM US!

Business Excellence Programmes

AFAQ-ETA will shortly be launching a series of new upgraded Business Excellence Programmes. They will include an IRCA accredited ISO 9000:2000 Lead Auditor/Auditor QMS Course, an IEMA accredited ISO 14001 Foundation Course in Environmental Auditing, an OHSAS and an Integrated Management Systems course. These courses are offered at our London offices and by our licensees in Hungary, France, Brazil, Korea, China, Taiwan and Iran. More licensees are wanted and enquiries should go to Bill Fenton bill.fenton@afaq-eta.com.

In September we are also to launch two interactive CD open learning courses on ISO 9000:2000 and ISO 19011. They are very comprehensive courses aimed at the internal and auditor market and at general management. Enquiries to Tyla Davis tyla.davis@afaq-eta.com

New Course Dates

New course dates are available for the next year, September 2005 – August 2006.  Our brochure is available from our website (www.afaq-eta.com) or contact Phillippa Greig, Training Coordinator, on 020 7922 1632 or phillippa.greig@afaq-eta.com for more details.

 

Book early to avoid disappointment!

 

 

 

 

 

BACK TO TOP