So you’ve just received an email providing you with a few date options regarding a JAUPT announced quality assurance visit. As with all audits, unless you’re fully prepared you can put yourself under unnecessary stress, and I hasten to add for no reason. To help you pass your JAUPT announced quality assurance visit, I have put together a few pointers to make the whole process a more pleasurable one.
Background
JAUPT carry out around 300 to 400 announced visits per year. It is important to note that an approved training centre is subject to centre visits from both JAUPT and
DVSA/DVA. This means that you could experience two visits in a short period of time from either organisation. I should add that we have had two JAUPT announced visits but not experienced a DVSA visit….as yet.
The purpose of an announced visit is to check whether standards are being maintained and to confirm the centre’s internal processes and procedures as per their Scheme of Control and confirmatory statements, detailed in the centre application form.
An approved training centre is subject to at least one announced visit during the five year
approval period from JAUPT. Your JAUPT announced quality assurance visit will always be conducted within the first twelve months of approval and will be pre-arranged between JAUPT and the centre.
Whether you are a centre that has not begun training yet or a centre that is conducting fifty plus training courses a month, the visit will still be conducted.
1. Responsibilities
The responsibility for quality and safety at an approved training centre lies with the responsible
contact. This is the person operationally responsible for periodic training. Ensure this person is present throughout the visit and is fully up to date with your policies and procedures. I have heard of auditors turning up for an audit and the responsible contact either not there or they just leave the auditor in a room on their own. Aside from this being a irrisponsible strategy, it’s just damm right rude.
2. Prepare
I know this sounds obvious but you should start your preperation from the day you confirm your dates. List out all the individual aspects of your internal systems and tackle each job systematically and methodically. There are two helpful documents published by JAUPT which you should familiarise yourself with.
The first document is the Centre quality assurance self assessment. This is a check list type document which will help you identify areas of continuous improvement and assist you to compartmentalise all the requisite areas needing attention.
The areas covered include:
- Quality and delivery of the training
- Knowledge transfer
- The learning environment
- Course content ensuring the course is being delivered in line with the approved
- Course layout and identification checks and registration
The second document is the
course quality assurance check list. It will assist you with the identification of areas of continuous improvement. Although this second useful document is aimed at course quality, it will help to ensure you have covered everything off. It should also form part of your annual review processes. We’ll come that next.
3. Review
Obviously, reviews are ongoing and should be carried out annually. Part of your audit is to confirm your internal processes and procedures as per your Scheme of Control (SoC). However, if you haven’t already, this is a good time to carry out your review. This will really help you to pass your audit as you don’t want to be caught out with an old, out of date policy or procedure!
Once you have reviewed your SoC make sure you re-version number the document and send it to your case worker at JAUPT for approval.
I have set up three approved training centres in my time so we have a SoC template which may help. You can purchase one here. Remember this is only a template so you will need to adjust to your requirements!
4. Reconcile
You will need to cross reference training dates supplied to JAUPT with training delivered. This is achieved by using the R&E system, your own records and scheduled courses supplied to JAUPT. The quickest and easiest way is to use an excel spread sheet. As we all know however, the R&E system is somewhat antiquated, so trying to get a data download in the form of a spreadsheet from here is simply not possible. Unfortunately, for some reason the R&E team won’t provide training centres with this useful document either. Luckily there is a solution, as you can request the same spreadsheet from JAUPT, just ask your case worker. You will need to justify any anomalies to your auditor, so make sure you make notes regarding any issues.
It’s worth noting auditors like to see a working spreadsheet which also manages uploads dates/upload reference numbers.
5. Paperwork
If you didn’t know you can keep electronic records. So no need to have boxes of registration sheets and feedback forms present. Which ever system you use, just make sure all records are present, are easily accessible and in chronological order.
6. On the day
Start early and arrive at work at least two hours before the auditor arrives. This is twofold as your auditor will most likely arrive early and you need to have time to prepare your records and environment. Use a well lit, clean/tidy separate room where you won’t be disturbed. Make your auditor feel welcome, offer them some refreshments and stay with your auditor throughout. Trust me, this will make the whole process much more comfortable for all parties.
As long as you are well prepared for your JAUPT announced quality assurance visit, you have been methodical and you have covered off the above points, your day will be a relaxed and enjoyable one.
Join the TMconsultant Consortium
TMconsultant is a Driver CPC training consortium and we provide like minded companies and individuals with the opportunity to deliver Driver CPC training but would prefer not to set up a training centre in their own right. For more information please visit our website or just get in touch. Here to share the knowledge!
e workshops can also help demonstrate professional development (as outlined in requirement D4 Professional Development of the FORS Standard), and help build your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours, as for each workshop equals 2.5 CPD hours. Find out how to claim your CPD hours here.
