Setting Competence
Setting the requirements for competence according to the ISO 9001:2015 takes it a bit different but all in all there are no news. It just ties loose ends. The requirements for competence appear on chapter 7.2.
Before I begin I would like to turn to the ISO 9001:2015 definition of competence: the ability to apply knowledge and skills to achieve intended results. It is simple as that.
The 2008 first reference to competence is in chapter 4.2 Documentation requirements/4.2.1 General – pointing out that the extent of documentation will be affected be the competence of personnel. The 2008 requires determination of necessary competence to perform work that is affecting the quality. Such description leaves a lot of loose ends and freedom in deciding what is competence.
The 2015 takes the approach from another direction. First of all performance indicators regarding the quality must be defined. The next step must detect which are the actions of employees that may affect this performance. Next, an assessment of personnel is required: do they acquire the needed competence at all? The next aspects must be taken into account: education, training and experience.
The note regarding regional or national regulations that might set requirements for procedures for identifying training needs was dropped.
The second part refers to developing and maintaining the competence of employees. First you must define which actions are suitable in order to acquire competence. The natural following step is applying these actions where required and evaluating the results. Just as the ISO standard for quality management systems likes to put it.
Last but not least is the required for records that prove that the required actions were taken and the results are satisfying. Reference to awareness was moved to the next chapter 7.3 – awareness.Share This
