How does CQI Training support the Competency Framework?

In 2014 the CQI launched a new framework for the quality profession – the CQI Competency Framework.

The framework is currently used by organisations across the globe, from Nuvia, to Lloyd’s Register and BAE Systems.

It describes the role of the quality professional, giving the public a definition of our job in industry. The framework also gives members a way to plan their continuous professional development (CPD) and it gives employers a way to support their people.

Now, the CQI has released a new portfolio of CQI and IRCA Certified Training specifically mapped to each section of the framework, to give you the skills you need to be successful in promoting excellence in your organisation.

‘The CQI has helped to ensure we have the right competences in-house and to understand the changes that are needed to raise the bar in quality at Bombardier’

The Competency Framework is divided into five sections – Governance, Assurance, Improvement, Leadership and Context.

Each of the five competencies are embedded in the learning outcomes of our courses, meaning that during each course you will develop expertise across the entire framework.

Additionally, you will develop skills in understanding how governance, assurance, improvement, leadership and context are connected and can be practically implemented.

For example, a delegate taking an improvement course will also gain skills in the five competencies and will learn how these competencies are linked. They will also learn how these skills practically feed into an improvement project, ensuring the project is a success.

Will the courses help me to regrade?  

There are three levels of certified training courses – foundation, practitioner and professional.

Although we cannot guarantee your successful application for our grades, completing the courses in our portfolio of training will help you fulfil the learning requirements for the grade.

PCQI

For those applying for PCQI (Practitioner) grade, along with two years of work experience in any aspect of quality, you should demonstrate 30 hours of quality-related training or qualifications in any aspect of the Competency Framework.

Although you do not have to complete our certified training to achieve this grade, completing two of our practitioner level training courses in any topic should enable you to safely meet the learning requirements.

The Chartered Quality Professional

Our professional level courses provide a strategic understanding of senior management level quality topics and importantly give you the skills to apply this knowledge practically in your organisation or industry. The courses will also equip you with the confidence to lead a team on the course topic.

This means completing our courses at this level will help you gain the knowledge needed to apply for the grade, however, once you have completed the course it is up to you to evidence these skills in your organisation.

What our members say

Gregorio Acero. head of quality at Bombardier Transportation, said: ‘All the quality teams in the UK at Bombardier and the employees on the Bombardier Graduate Program have attended the training courses to help close their competency gaps. It is a complete solution as we assess our employees using the framework and then we close the skills gaps identified using the training offered by the CQI.

‘The CQI has helped to ensure we have the right competences in-house and to understand the changes that are needed to raise the bar in quality at Bombardier.’

Paula Quinn, learning and development manager at Nuvia, said: ‘At Nuvia we strive to develop our staff and one of the greatest challenges in doing this is providing staff who want to develop their careers with a clear picture of the behaviours and competencies required to succeed, and how they can best own and contribute to their own development.

‘The CQI and IRCA Certified Training portfolio provides a recognised and endorsed framework for developing quality professionals. It gives us an opportunity to ensure that the training of our quality professionals is consistent and aligned with recognised best practice.’