5 replies to this topic

[Fijiball]

What are the training requirements to do an internal audit for BRC.

 

Does this has to be trainer from recognised certification body?

 

REgards

[pHruit]

Auditors need to be "appropriately trained" and have "relevant technical knowledge" of the area being audited.

The standard doesn't specifically require external certification/training - as noted in the interpretation guide, internal training within the company may be sufficient if formally trained and recorded, and if you can demonstrate that the person delivering the training has appropriate experience to be able to do so.

Nonetheless it is often easier to convince external auditors if you can pull out a certificate as part of the training records.
IMO there isn't really a replacement for proper hands-on training including time shadowing an experienced auditor, so my preferred approach and the one that I use with new staff is a combination of internal and external training.

There are a few online "internal auditing" training courses around that you could look at, in conjunction with internal training.

[SQFconsultant]

Your internal auditors just need training on conducting internal audits.

 

We wrote an internal auditor training program some years back and it is generic in nature - thus it applies to any of the GFSI schemes.

 

Do look for a training program that will provide certifcates of training completion as Auditors (and as PHruit mentioned) like that as proof of training.

[kingstudruler1]

I agree that it does not need to be external training according to the standard. However that does make it easier during audits. I also agree that taking someone with little food experience and putting them though a third party internal audit class and calling them "certified" is a little silly.  

 

IFSQN has one from time to time that is inexpensive and pretty good.  There are several others to pick from if you choose to go that direction.  

[Leila Burin]

Hello, as said before, there is not a specific requirement, however, I´ve seen several “trained under the new XX standard” certificates, and then the audit itself show a complete lack of understanding of the requisites of the standard in the internal audit results. When the standard changes the version, on my opinion, it is recommendable to assist to a training under a certification body, this is, given by a real BRC auditor

Best regards,

Leila

[mgourley]

As said before there is no "training requirement", although I think a basic understanding of a quality management system and the auditing thereof under ISO 9001 would be helpful.

 

These courses are available in person and online. Now, just because someone attends a seminar or completes an online course does not make them "competent" as required by the BRC Standard.

As with any skill set, auditing requires OJT and repetition.

 

Marshall