APCER: Personnel Certification
      - A Break-Through Process

Since 2001, when the first certification scheme was developed - quality management system auditor certification APCER has acquired significant experience in the personnel certification field. In a market with multiple alternatives (IPQ, EOQ, IRCA), APCER accomplished significant service differentiation and a 25% market share in one year.

Starting with quality management system auditors, APCER now provides a complete scope of personnel certification services, namely for environmental management system, HACCP management system and OHSAS management system auditors.

Innovation plays an important role in personnel certification services, and some other projects are currently under development:
  • the usage of media supports and adjusted physical environment (for instance regarding HACCP and OHSAS practice evaluation)
  • QWEB auditor certification (QWEB certification service is property of IQNet) and other information safety management system auditor certification schemes (associated with DIGI-Q, a European Community Project involving APCER and other IQNet partners as well as universities)
Candidates can apply for three different certification degrees within each area of certification: lead auditor, auditor and internal auditor, covering a large range of persons, from audit professionals to company employees involved in internal audits.

The evaluation scheme is supported by the ISO 19011:2002 standard and in the best audit practices (as implemented all over the world by IQNet partners). It involves:
  1. Experience evaluation (general professional experience, specific experience in the applicable management system and in auditing activities) and training (academic and specific in the applicable management system and audits)
  2. Preparation of training sessions (only for internal auditor certification)
  3. Knowledge evaluation (by means of a written exam covering every aspect of auditing process, specific management system, ISO 19011:2002 standard, auditor behaviour and legislation or regulation aspects)
  4. Practice evaluation (through supervised audit simulation exercises, only for auditor and lead auditor certification)
All candidates and certified auditors have a direct communication channel with APCER regarding the certification and evaluation scheme and receive privileged information about issues that relate directly to management system and audit activity (e.g. seminars and conferences, standardisation news, interpretation guidelines and relevant publications, available training courses, etc.). APCER also publicises certified auditor information, promoting the recognition of those professionals who proved to be competent in this field of activity.

Recognition of the internal auditors competence can also play a relevant role in personnel motivation and involvement. APCER believes that internal auditor certification can in fact promote the intrinsic quality of internal audits and a better performance of those who participate actively in the implementation of this management tool within the companies. In addition, certified auditors and lead auditors are recognized by the market as competent professionals and they can also promote themselves by using the certification mark and Certificate, attaining effective differentiation in their line of work.

Briefly, auditor certification services, as provided by APCER, can be illustrated by detailing simple key words:
  • Brand: APCER is the leader in the certification market in Portugal and a member of the IQNet association.
  • Development: APCER develops and provides diversified certification services that correspond to market needs and expectations.
  • Credibility: ENAC and IPQ accredited APCER's quality auditor certification scheme
  • Innovation: Auditor certification schemes are characterized by new, appropriate evaluation tools, in the knowledge/technical level as well in the behavioural one and design to fit the specificity of each management system.
  • Technical support: The Certification Jury is constituted by the most prominent national experts, in each specific field of auditing activity (e.g. management system, behaviour, audits, legal aspects, etc.).
  • Improvement: Certified auditors must provide evidence of their effort to improve auditing capabilities.
  • Independence: No member of the Jury nor APCER employees can be certified by these schemes.
  • Ethics: Certified auditors shall comply with a specific Code of Conduct which promotes ethical behaviour and added value for all interested parties involved in audit activities.
By performing credible and value adding work, both APCER and the certified auditors will contribute to the enhancement of audit activities and the consolidation of management systems in the companies, towards better business results.

Pedro Castro Alves
Development Director
APCER - Portugal