Astrum

Having used LRQA as the training provider at a previous company Astrum were aware of the standard of training and the learning approach taken by trainers. LRQA Training do not depend upon numerous slides in a powerpoint presentation, but draw on personal professional experience, use case studies and delegate participation to get the message across.

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Where we are now

Astrum are currently in the process of transferring from our current certification body to LRQA. During discussions with the Account Manager handling the transfer training opportunities were discussed. As a result Astrum were put in touch with Cheryl Savage, a Major Account & Business Development Manager for LRQA.

The process of using LRQA for Astrum’s training needs began with an on-site meeting with the LRQA trainer who ran through the services which LRQA could offer and how this would be managed.

We discussed the area that Astrum had identified as training needs and ran through the options available whilst making notes regarding specific requirements so that the courses could be tailored where required.  A quote for the training was received the same week and within a few weeks training dates had been arranged.

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The training we received

Astrum have held two LRQA training courses since the initial meeting with LRQA. Firstly we held the Internal QMS auditor two day training course. A need was highlighted to improve the skill set of the auditor pool at Astrum as the audit programme was generally focussed on compliance audits. The new business approach is more focussed on risk based auditing whilst determining the effectiveness of the business management system and due to this step change the training was arranged.

The delegates included a number of experienced auditors and people new to auditing from all functions of the business. The course was held on site at Astrum and was tailored to include the use of the Astrum business management system documentation. The atmosphere created within the classroom was very upbeat with the delegates getting the most out of the sessions by continually being involved with the exercises and high levels of participation over the two days.

One of the delegates who has been an auditor for a number of years and has attended a number of training courses for auditors stated that the training given by LRQA was the best he had been given and had learnt more then he had previously.

The one day Problem Solving Tools and Techniques course was also held onsite at Astrum and was identified as a method of improving the skill set of the shop floor Quality Inspectors. At present the inspectors are mainly utilised to identify non-conforming product within their process areas and quarantine it. The forward plan is that these inspectors will also be used to identify the root causes of the problems. This course was received well by the delegates and was given high levels of positive feedback including:

“The recent training event was an enjoyable experience giving me great insight into problem solving techniques.”

“It was a very interesting, entertaining, well performed training event. It will certainly stick in my mind.”

“A very good presentation. Instructor very well read on subjects.”

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Forthcoming Requirements

It is now envisaged that over the coming months the inspectors will be responsible for conducting full root cause identification investigations to improve the processes within their areas with the aim to reduce both scrap and rework.

Further training planned by Astrum includes a QMS Management Briefing for the Astrum senior management team and in addition to this there will potentially be another internal auditor course to further educate and extend the Astrum auditor pool.

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