Zak Bickerstaffe, a Senior QA Engineer at Severfield Nuclear & Infrastructure in Bolton, was recently awarded CQI and IRCA’s Professional Certificate in Quality Management – one of only 16 learners in the world to achieve this. He began his quality management training with rove in January 2020 and achieved the prestigious Professional Certificate in Quality Management in April 2022.
We caught up with Zak to ask him about how his studies have helped him in his role, his thoughts on distance learning and what advice he’d give to others considering quality management courses.
“As a Senior QA Engineer a key part of my role is to liaise with clients regarding the status of their projects, understanding their requirements, and ensuring that as a company we provide their product to the required criteria. It also involves aspects of due diligence. This includes; reviewing documentation for incoming supplier deliveries and company processes, performing audits, reviewing Non Conformances. I also look at ways to improve systems.
“There is no such thing as a typical day for me. I find no two days are the same and that is what keeps it interesting. Each day there is something new. Being involved in the development and improvement of systems and processes feels rewarding as I am involved in changes to benefit the organisation.”
WHY ENROL ONTO THE CQI AND IRCA PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN QUALITY MANAGEMENT?
Zak decided to enrol onto the CQI and IRCA Professional Certificate to further enhance his knowledge and understanding. He was keen to find out about the different quality tools and the options available for improvement at both a system and business level.
Consisting of six individual courses, ranging from quality strategy and planning, supply chain assurance to risk management. The Professional Certificate in Quality Management are aimed at experienced practitioners looking to advance to a strategic level and aspiring to become a Chartered Quality Professional.
HOW THE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN QUALITY MANAGEMENT HAS HELPED ZAK’S CAREER
Since starting the course, two and a half years ago, Zak thinks the courses have provided him with a greater appreciation of the available tools and techniques for improvement activities and initiatives. Through developing these skills, he is now applying them at work.
Keen to find out more about his experience of studying with rove, we asked him what he most enjoyed about the course. And what, if anything, he found a challenge.
“I enjoyed researching the different topics and how at times it required actual application to answer a question. This in turn benefitted myself in developing the knowledge, but also my organisation in looking to further improve certain areas.
“The most challenging aspect was fitting the study time around my day-to-day responsibilities within my role. However, through continuing with the differing modules, my ability to manage time also improved.”
DISTANCE LEARNING IMPROVED ZAK’S TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS
Initially Zak found time management a challenge. But, the flexibility that distance learning provided allowed him not only to successfully complete his course, but also to improve his time management skills.
WHY STUDY A CQI AND IRCA QUALITY MANAGEMENT COURSE?
Final words from Zak for anyone considering studying quality management courses:
“My advice would be to embrace it and enjoy it. But, also to take your time to study and learn a topic as this is what provides the most reward.”
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, 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.