Competence is the application of knowledge and skills to achieve desired results. ISO Auditor Competence is the same. The Lead Auditors' and their Audit Team Members' responsibilities are detailed.
Are you a Lead Auditor?
Clause 4.3.3 of ISO 17021-1, the ISO Standard for Certification Bodies, states that a certification body must have a process for establishing competence criteria. It will be used for auditing, certification, and evaluating against the criteria.
These include processes for selecting, training, and formally authorising auditors as well as technical experts used in certification.
The initial competence evaluation of an auditor "shall include the ability to apply required knowledge and skills during audits," the document states.
An auditor must have the following knowledge and skills.
· knowledge of management system normative documents
· Knowledge of certification body procedures
· Industry knowledge of client
· Lead Auditors must also have the following knowledge and skill sets:
· Knowledge of business management methods
· This course will teach you the basics of auditing.
· Product, process, and company knowledge
· Appropriate language skills for all client levels
· Taking notes and reporting
· Communication skills
· Interviewing skills
· Audit management skills