1. Scope This document is describing EOQ rules and criteria to be used for the approval of training providers and training courses using as reference the EOQ Competence Specifications (CoS) and by Accreditation Bodies for the control and delivery of training courses as pre-requisite for certification according to ISO 17024 and, if applicable, related IAF guidance. Personnel Certification Bodies, willing to certify personnel in accordance with EOQ normative documents have to accept training proofs of certification candidates delivered only from training providers and for training courses approved by the EOQ through its EOQ PRU Agents. EOQ Competence Specifications are freely available to all interested organizations, such as e.g. training organizations and personnel certification bodies. 2. Terms and definitions EOQ normative documents documents establishing competence requirements in the form of Competence Specifications (CoS) and Certifications Schemes (CS) issued by EOQ to be used as reference documents for the examination/certification/registration of different professions in the field of quality management in its broadest sense. EOQ Competence Specification (CoS) - document defining the areas of knowledge and the competence requirements for the EOQ defined professional profiles in order to be effective in the described professions. EOQ Competence Specifications serve amongst others as normative documents for the use of training and as accreditation basis for Personnel Certification Bodies EOQ Certification Scheme (CS) document defining specific EOQ certification requirements related to EOQ defined professional profiles to which the same particular standards and rules, and the same procedures apply Personnel Certification Body (PCB) body certifying persons against specific requirements Training provider - organization or individual approved by the PCB to deliver prerequisite training Training course supplier organization or person delivering training courses based on an agreement with the training provider; training suppliers have to follow the same rules related to training courses delivery and trainers competences as the training providers and they are under the direct responsibility and control of the training provider. Trainer person having the required competence to deliver training courses Student - a person who fulfills defined pre-conditions and participates in a particular training course Approval - mechanism for controlling training courses and training course providers Page: 1of 6
3. Approval of training providers and training courses Training providers using EOQ CoS as reference for the development and realization of corresponding training courses will be evaluated for approval by the respective EOQ PRU Agent. This applies for cases when the trainings are intended to be used as pre-requisite for personnel certification purposes. The same evaluation rules and criteria apply if the training provider uses external training courses suppliers as subcontractor. The EOQ PRU Agents will use for the evaluation of training providers and their relevant training courses the methods and criteria defined in this document. The EOQ PRU Agents will inform training providers using EOQ CoS about the EOQ requirements needed to be accomplished in order to be approved. An EOQ PRU Agent can decide to authorize another recognized EOQ PRU Agent to process the application. 3.1 Methods of approval: The EOQ PRU Agents should consider the range of models for approving specified training providers and relevant prerequisite training courses, including: Approving training providers (including subcontractors) against the rules defined in this document Approving training providers training courses designed against the EOQ CoS requirements Approving individual trainers as competent to deliver training that meets the training course requirements. Any approval granted by EOQ for training providers and training courses has the validity of maximum of 3 years. 3.2 Monitoring training courses realization: The EOQ PRU Agents shall use monitoring methods to ensure that: Training is consistently and effectively deployed Training courses are realized by competent trainers Appropriate records are maintained Monitoring methods may include: Witnessing the training provider/trainer delivering training Review of training records Monitoring actions will be performed by the EOQ PRU Agents at least once per validity period for each training provider. In case of deviations from the EOQ rules and criteria the training provider has to implement immediate actions to solve the problem or the approval is suspended until existent evidence of positive results. Page: 2of 6
4. Approval of training providers For the approval of training providers following aspects shall be evaluated against criteria mentioned below: 4.1 Training provider competence Training providers shall have the following competences: Organisational competence to organize and deliver training courses through the assurance of all needed elements (demonstrated through a functional management system - e.g. a valid ISO 9001 certificate of the organisation is acceptable as proof.) Technical competence - to design and maintain training course documents/materials corresponding to the training course learning and skills objectives, in accordance with EOQ CoS requirements. E.g. this could be demonstrated by individual (training course designers) valid certification according to the corresponding EOQ personnel certification scheme Training methods competence - to use appropriate training methods in order to accomplish the learning and skills objectives of the training course. (see chapter 5.2) Competent trainers - to assure the realization of the training courses by using trainers competent to deliver to the students the knowledge and skills corresponding to the objectives of the training course 4.2 Management System requirements The training provider has to be able to demonstrate the effective administration of the training courses. 4.2.1 Areas to be evaluated shall include: The design, development and evaluation of course materials and documentation The presentation of the course and its objectives Requirements for training facilities (training rooms conditions, presentation equipment) The verification of prerequisite conditions of students, where this is required The control methods of courses delivered by subcontractors. A document control system for maintaining up-dated procedures and course materials, storage and disposal of training courses records Criteria and selection process of trainers (own and subcontracted), maintenance of their competence and annual evaluation of trainers performances, including criteria for determining satisfactory performance level Methods used to measure students evaluations of the course content, trainer performance and overall course performance and results analysis and corresponding actions Treatment of complaints Records proving trainers competences Records of individual students and of each training course, including analysis of course results The training provider shall maintain records demonstrating the effective administration of the training course. All records shall be maintained for at least 36 months unless otherwise specified. Page: 3of 6
4.2.2 The records of each training course shall include the followings: Training course dates and location, related advertisement and promotional literature Name of trainers Revision level of the used course materials Names of all students who attended the course and proofs of their required participation in the training course Participation documents delivered to the students stating the successful accomplishment of the training course 4.2.3 A statement document has to be delivered to the student of the training course that will be accepted by the PCB as evidence of successful completion. This document should include: The name of the student The name of the training provider The name and duration of the training course. The date of completion of the training The issue date of the participation statement The EOQ PRU agent may accept a valid quality management system certification (e.g. ISO9001, ISO29990) as valid proof of the above aspects. 4.3 Trainers competences Training providers have to assure competent trainers to deliver training courses that meet the specified learning objectives. By the evaluation of trainers competences are to be considered following aspects, by taking into account the relevant scope of the training course: Valid competence certificate according to the relevant EOQ personnel certification scheme if applicable or another adequate proof of the specific competence. Practical experience relevant to the specific scope Skills and knowledge on didactical and training methods adequate language skills 5. Approval of training courses For the approval of training courses have to be evaluated following elements: a. Training objectives The learning objectives have to be clearly defined and communicated. b. Training course content The training course content shall cover all qualification criteria/ knowledge topics as defined in the applicable EOQ CoS. Page: 4of 6
The EOQ PRU Agent shall notify the training provider when requirements to course contents are changed. An approval of a training course implies that substantial conformity to the requirements to course contents is established. c. Training methods The training methods should be defined and suit the learning objectives. Methods include, but are not limited to, the following: Classroom based learning - suitable for knowledge and skills training. Distance learning/self study - suitable for knowledge training and some skills training, but not all (for example accomplishment or interpersonal skills). On-the-job training - suitable for skills and some knowledge training. Blended learning (part distance/self study and part classroom based) - suitable for a mix of knowledge and hard and soft skills d. Training course duration and other requirements For each training course have to be specified: The course duration (number of effective training hours) in accordance with EOQ CoS requirements. The ratio of trainers to students, including maximum student numbers. The course materials to be supplied to trainers and students 6. Approval validity and fees The approval of training providers and training courses is valid for 3 years, after which reapproval is needed. The training provider has to inform the EOQ PRU Agent about major changes in the training course content and structure during the approval period. Fees for approval shall be agreed between the training provider and the EOQ PRU Agent, without any discrimination and according to the number of hours needed for the approval process including on-site evaluation. A register over approved training providers and training courses shall be maintained and published by the EOQ PRU Agent. 7. Use of conformity statements by training providers Training providers that have been approved by an EOQ PRU agent are allowed to use the following statements for marketing purposes: [name of training provider] is approved as training provider by [name of the EOQ PRU Agent / country] for the EOQ related CoS [title of the specification* including the degree / title of the related certificate]. The approval expires on [date]. (*) established by the European Organization for Quality, Brussels, http://www.eoq.org Training providers approved by EOQ are not allowed to use any EOQ logo. Page: 5of 6
Other training providers not approved by EOQ are not allowed to use a conformity statement concerning EOQ requirements or a similar statement related to their specific training program. Page: 6of 6