Inside the ISO 14001:2015 Internal Auditor Course from DQS Academy

Taking this course as someone unfamiliar with the ins and outs of ISO 14001, it was overwhelming at first to dive straight into the standard and talk about what needs to be pinpointed in each section, as this course requires an understanding and familiarity with the ISO 14001 standard. There is a large number of responsibilities and knowledge that goes into becoming an internal auditor. The instructor will go through the standard, pointing out what the auditor is taking into account in each point and using real-world examples to explain better what the section can be attributed to. If there are questions throughout the training, the instructor goes back to the standard to see “what does the standard say about that?” to ensure that the standard is understood as the foundation whether it’s a question of “whom to ask about ___?”, the internal auditor goes back to the standard and documentation to, if not find the answer, find the stakeholder who can lead them on the correct path.

With the large amount of technical knowledge throughout the training, it was easy to follow. The instructor used everyday analogies to make it much easier to digest the content. Regarding “real-world examples,” the instructor did not limit these examples to what is seen in the field but what is used in their everyday life. From separating their recycling at home to learning how to ride a bicycle, it was a way to take bigger concepts and break them down to arm’s reach. This simplified teaching approach made it easier for attendees to grasp the technicality of the standard, and hearing the laugh when they have that “ah-ha” moment (or just a laugh at the jokes thrown in) grounds the understanding.

And just like any other DQS Academy training, ISO 14001 Internal Audit training also includes activities to practice what was covered in each section. Like practice exercises in a textbook, you have something that will test the knowledge gained but can be built upon for the next section. However, the course is not run like a typical classroom course. It didn’t feel like the attendees were listening to a lecture and needed to take notes for a final exam; on the contrary, the course was run like a conversation. Attendees can jump in at any time to ask questions or bring up what they see in the real world, allowing the instructor to pivot examples to fit more of what the attendees may see in their environments. There are no pushes to get anyone involved with questions to force interaction; instead, the instructor’s openness eases the students to speak and connect.

ISO 14001 is one standard that could impact companies, how they run, and how private citizens can preserve the world today. The experience shared during training showing small tasks with significant impacts and root-cause analysis documentation demonstrates how each person can do their part to reduce waste. Although it focuses on professionals tasked with internal auditing at their companies, much more can be learned through this course and given back to others from the attendees. The course is run with a straightforward way of teaching. There’s no fluff or reading from the presentation, but authentic experience and documentation will be used in the internal audit process. Each attendee will know how to run an internal audit, why internal auditing is essential, and why it needs to be a thorough process by the end of class. With a firm basis on the standard, attendees can look at things in new ways to determine if there may be a better process for them and their company.

With quick tips in mind given in each section, the training concludes with an exam to test the knowledge gained throughout the training. The exam can be completed after the in-person session, but completing it as soon as possible is best to ensure the information is fresh. The instructor encourages sharing the grade with him once passed and has the incorrect questions provided to look at and to point the attendee to the correct place to find the right answer. It also helps the instructor see if anything could have more coverage time in the training session. And once the exam is passed, the attendee will receive a certificate of completion and a survey to give feedback on the course and learner experience for continual improvement.

With the ISO 14001 Internal Audit course, each attendee will be ready to create documentation and prepare for the internal audit process once completed. With new perspectives from which to view processes, companies can gain new ideas in aligning with the ISO 14001 standard and how to preserve the environment best with significantly impact our world.