CQI IRCA Independent Course Feedback Survey Result and Analysis

What Is the CQI IRCA Course Feedback Survey?

CQI IRCA uses learner feedback as part of monitoring the quality of certified courses delivered by its Approved Training Partners (ATPs).

For the data discussed in this article, learners who attended eligible courses delivered by 3FOLD Training were invited to provide feedback independently through CQI IRCA.

The feedback gives training providers an opportunity to understand the learner experience and identify areas for continuous improvement.

This article provides an analysis of the survey results made available to 3FOLD Training through the CQI IRCA ATP portal for courses delivered between January 1 and December 31, 2020.

Which Courses Were Included in the 2020 Feedback Data?

The survey data presented here was aggregated across the CQI IRCA Certified Courses included in the 2020 report provided to 3FOLD Training.

The courses covered were:

• ISO 9001:2015 QMS Lead Auditor
• ISO 9001:2015 QMS Internal Auditor
• ISO 14001:2015 EMS Lead Auditor
• ISO 45001:2018 OHSMS Lead Auditor

The results therefore represent aggregated learner feedback across these courses rather than a separate rating for each individual course.

How Were the Courses Rated?

The CQI IRCA survey questions used a five-point Likert scale, ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree.

A score of 1 represented strongly disagree, while a score of 5 represented strongly agree.

Here is a summary of the results reported for 2020:

These figures are historical results for the stated 2020 reporting period.

Quality of Course Delivery — 4.50/5

Learners gave course delivery a score of 4.50 out of 5.

The training approach used during the courses included practical activities intended to complement the knowledge-based elements of auditor training.

According to the training approach described by 3FOLD Training, this included:

• practical and real-life audit simulation exercises;
• feedback to learners during classroom activities;
• exercises covering first-, second- and third-party audit contexts;
• case studies and simulated organizational records; and
• an emphasis on applying auditing knowledge through practical activities.

The objective was to help learners move beyond simply understanding requirements and practise how auditing principles could be applied in realistic situations.

Quality of Trainers — 4.57/5

The quality of trainers received a score of 4.57 out of 5.

Trainer selection was based on auditing and training experience relevant to the standards being delivered.

The approach described by 3FOLD Training included selecting trainers with experience in first-, second- and third-party auditing, relevant Lead Auditor training and previous experience delivering similar courses.

Continuous professional development was also part of the trainer-development approach.

The 4.57/5 result provides a historical indication of how learners participating in the 2020 survey evaluated trainer quality.

Quality of Course Materials — 4.57/5

Learners rated the quality of course materials at 4.57 out of 5.

The learning resources available for the courses included a combination of pre-course preparation, course materials, exercises and examination-support resources.

Materials described in the original 2020 report included:

1. Prior Knowledge Video Lessons
2. Prior Knowledge Quiz
3. Pre-course Reading Materials
4. Pre-course Assignment
5. Course Delegate Manual
6. Course Activities and Exercise Workbook
7. Case Study and Records
8. Recorded Video Lessons
9. CQI IRCA Specimen Examination

The intention was to provide learners with resources before, during and after the instructor-led components of the course.

Interactive Learning — 4.39/5

Interactive learning received a score of 4.39 out of 5.

The courses were designed to encourage interaction between tutors and learners as well as interaction among learners themselves.

This included opportunities to discuss exercises, receive tutor feedback and participate in group activities.

Technology such as breakout rooms in online meeting platforms was also used to support smaller-group activities during virtual training.

Although 4.39/5 was the lowest of the reported scores, it still represented a relatively high result on the five-point scale used for the survey.

Pre-Course Materials — 4.60/5

Learners gave pre-course materials a score of 4.60 out of 5.

Pre-course preparation is particularly relevant to auditor training because participants may enter a course with different levels of familiarity with the applicable management system standard.

Providing learning materials before the live training gives participants an opportunity to prepare for the instructor-led sessions and understand the expected prior knowledge.

The 4.60/5 result reflects learner feedback on this part of the 2020 training experience.

Joining Instructions — 4.60/5

Joining instructions also received a score of 4.60 out of 5.

Clear joining information can help learners understand course arrangements and prepare for the training before the first session begins.

This category was assessed separately from the learning content itself and received the same score as pre-course materials.

Would Learners Recommend 3FOLD Training? — 4.70/5

For the survey measure relating to recommending the Approved Training Partner, the reported score was 4.70 out of 5.

This was one of the highest scores in the 2020 feedback data.

It indicates that respondents generally gave a high level of agreement when asked about recommending the training provider to other learners.

This result should, however, be understood within the context of the 2020 survey period rather than presented as a current recommendation score.

Would Learners Recommend the Courses? — 4.75/5

The highest reported result was for recommending the courses, which received 4.75 out of 5.

This category considered learners’ willingness to recommend the courses to others.

Among the feedback areas included in the data, this was the strongest individual result.

Again, the score relates specifically to learners represented in the 2020 CQI IRCA feedback data covered by this article.

Why Independent Learner Feedback Matters

Learner feedback can provide training organizations with information that is useful for continuous improvement.

Different aspects of a training experience contribute to the overall learner experience. Course content alone is not the only consideration. Trainer capability, learning materials, interaction, pre-course preparation and administrative communication can also influence how effectively learners engage with training.

Independent feedback can therefore help identify both areas performing strongly and areas where further improvement may be possible.

For prospective learners, historical feedback can provide additional context when researching a training provider. However, historical survey results should be considered alongside current course information, training format and approval status when making a decision.

Choosing a CQI IRCA Lead Auditor Course

When selecting Lead Auditor training, a survey score should not be the only consideration.

Prospective learners should also consider:

• whether the course is appropriate for the ISO standard they need;
• the course’s current approval or certification status;
• training format and schedule;
• trainer experience;
• practical audit activities;
• learning resources;
• examination requirements; and
• how the training relates to their professional objectives.

Professionals interested in quality management may consider an ISO 9001 QMS Lead Auditor Course, while those working in environmental management or occupational health and safety may require ISO 14001 EMS or ISO 45001 OHSMS Lead Auditor training respectively.

The appropriate course should be selected according to the learner’s responsibilities, existing experience and intended auditing pathway.

A Note About the 2020 Survey Data

Conclusion

The 2020 CQI IRCA independent learner feedback data provides a historical view of the learner experience across selected certified courses delivered by 3FOLD Training.

The reported scores ranged from 4.39/5 for interactive learning to 4.75/5 for course recommendation, with an overall average of 4.56/5.

Course delivery, trainer quality, materials, pre-course support and recommendations all received scores above 4 out of 5 in the reported data.

These results are best understood as a record of learner feedback for the 2020 survey period, rather than as current performance ratings.

For professionals currently considering Lead Auditor training, the historical results can provide useful background, while the latest course details and current approval information should be reviewed before choosing a course.