A Deputy Quality Manager & Environmental Management Systems Manager has recently achieved CQI and IRCA accreditation, as well as the opportunity to advance her career within Eumar Technology Limited & Ubersorb Limited. Sasha Low, attained the CQI’s Practitioner Certificate in Quality Management in September 2023 and she’s since been asked to develop an environmental system ISO14001 and a net zero system ISO-14064-1.
We caught up with Sasha, to congratulate her on her recent achievements, to find out more about her role, what she enjoyed about studying with rove and what advice she’d give others looking to study CQI and IRCA Quality Management courses.
As a Deputy Quality Manager & Environmental Management Systems Manager, Sasha wears two hats. This means she could be collecting environmental data one day, and then collecting post market surveillance data another.
“I work on two different management systems too – quality and environmental. The environmental system is the newer system, so taking what I’ve learned about the course and quality system has helped me develop the new environmental system. I mainly work in assurance and compliance with both those systems,” explained Sasha.
“Every day is different which makes my role interesting as I could be working with finance on our net zero calculator, working with production on training for our work instructions on the clean room, auditing with colleagues or even hosting a senior management meeting with directors. It really is that dynamic and a lot of that is down to working in an SME which allows me to wear two hats.”
AS A NEW DEPUTY QUALITY MANAGER, IT MADE SENSE TO SASHA, TO SEEK EXTERNAL SUPPORT
Sasha enrolled with rove right at the beginning of her career in quality.
“Given how small and inexperienced our team was, it made sense to get external help to support me in my new role and to learn as much as I could about quality management, leadership, problem solving – just everything that encompasses quality management within the business.”
The team also felt it was important to go through a recognised body via CQI membership to guarantee the quality and depth of course provided.
SASHA CHOOSE ROVE AS THEY OFFERED HER THE FLEXIBLITY SHE NEEDED
All rove’s courses are delivered via distance learning – which simply means you can study at home or work, at a time – and a pace – which suits you. In addition, for those studying our Practitioner courses, there is the option to sit your exam in your workplace which negates the need to travel to exam centres – these two elements were important to Sasha.
“rove was recommended through the CQI website when we were initially looking at courses. The fact there was flexibility to complete coursework, and more importantly to flexibly sit the exam made practical sense to study with rove.”
THE COURSES HAVE HELPED SASHA’S CAREER ADVANCE
When asking Sasha if she thinks the training has helped her in her career, she was pleased to share a new project she has been given to develop.
“Well, the first obvious career advancement is being given the project to develop an environmental system ISO14001 and a net zero system ISO-14064-1.
“Also, through learning about leadership, quality assurance, communication, all the tools provided in the course has made me a better employee, thinker and really made me appreciate how a system works within the whole business.”
THE COURSES PROVIDED ME WITH A GREAT OVERVIEW AND HELPED ME JOIN TOGETHER THE DOTS
Sasha enjoyed the Managing Management Systems (PT202) course, as it provided an overview to the structure of most management systems and how different system can be merged.
“I also enjoyed the Managing Problem Solving as it provided so many tools which really clicked for me during this time. I recognised tools we used and could connect the dots with the training my manager had given me on different situations and tools used to understand/manage them,” said Sasha.
THE OPEN BOOKS EXAMS TOOK THE PRESSURE OFF
We asked Sasha what she found challenging during her studies, and she told us she was not looking forward to sitting the exams at the end of each Practitioner course.
“For me personally, I don’t like tests or exams as I find it puts you on the spot. However, these exams are open book exams so you’re able to use your coursework notes and coursework book along with multiple choice answers to take a bit of pressure off answering.”
SASHA 1000% RECOMMENDS OTHER TO STUDY WITH ROVE
“If you are new to working within management systems or quality assurance, then 1000% study the Foundation or Practitioner courses.
“Not only do you gain understanding about quality management, but you also gain so much more with topics such as communication, active listening, change resistance, employee behaviour, roles and responsibilities etc. Those things are the extra bits and more to any job role, workplace, or employee.
“It’s very enlightening and studying with rove has been a positive educational experience,” concluded Sasha.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CQI AND IRCA QUALITY MANAGEMENT COURSES
For over 13 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 345 companies – who have completed more than 1000 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.