Mark Cutts, Quality Manager at A Schulman Gainsborough Ltd, has achieved the Practitioner Certificate in Quality Management following promotion to a new role.
Starting his journey in the middle of Covid-19, he recently completed his learning journey with rove, and is currently embedding the new tools he learnt into his company’s systems.
We caught up with Mark to ask him about how his studies are helping him in his role, his thoughts on distance learning and what advice he’d give to others considering CQI and IRCA quality management courses.
MY BACKGROUND
“I have worked at A Schulman Gainsborough Ltd, a leading global supplier of high-performance plastic compounds, composites and powders, for over 25 years. I started my career with the company as a Lab Technician and was promoted to Quality Manager back in 2019,” explained Mark.
WHY STUDY THE PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATE IN QUALITY MANAGEMENT?
“As a new Quality Manager, I felt that I needed a qualification to back up my understanding of quality management systems, and started studying the Practitioner Certificate in Quality Management in September 2019.”
MY ROLE AS A QUALITY MANAGER
On a day-to-day basis, Mark manages new product specifications and the running of the quality laboratory. This ensures all products are all made to the required specification. He is also involved with evolving procedures for other management systems and ensuring the wider team understand their roles and responsibilities within the QMS.
WHAT VALUE WAS THE PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATE IN QUALITY MANAGEMENT?
His favourite part of the course was learning the new tools in each module. And, how they can be used to improve a quality management system. Mark believes the course has helped him in his role as Quality Manager;
“Apart from a better understanding of management systems, I have introduced some of the tools into our own system. And, I have also started to share some of the knowledge with my colleagues.”
WHAT DOES THE PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATE IN QUALITY MANAGEMENT INCLUDE?
The CQI and IRCA Practitioner Certificate in Quality Management consists of eight courses. These range from; management systems, supply chains to quality planning. Each provides an understanding of management level quality topics and how this knowledge applies to organisations and industries. For each course, students need to complete a workbook and sit an exam. All eight course must be completed within a three year timescale.
STUDYING VIA DISTANCE LEARNING
“Finding time to fit in the completion of the workbooks was a challenge. I spent a lot of time doing this at home over the weekends. However, although you had a time frame for each module you could work at your own pace. My tutor was always available to contact too – if I had any issues,” said Mark.
HIS ADVICE TO OTHERS LOOKING TO STUDING CQI AND IRCA QUALITY MANAGEMENT COURSES
This is Mark’s advice to others who are considering studying CQI and IRCA Quality Management courses;
“Make sure that you plan enough time during the week to fill in the workbooks. And, most importantly, stick to the plan.”
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CQI AND IRCA QUALITY MANAGEMENT COURSES
For over 12 years rove has supported quality management professionals develop and progress in their careers. Since 2016, its experienced, knowledgeable and friendly team has supported over 500 learners, from over 200 companies – who have completed more than 750 quality management courses. It is also very proud of its 100% pass rate. You can find out about the CQI and IRCA Foundation, Practitioner and Professional quality management courses here.