First-Ever Apprenticeship Program for Management Systems Auditors Recognized by U.S. Dept. of Labor

3/01/2019


Marking a major advancement for management systems auditors and the hundreds of thousands of businesses that rely on them to ensure the continuous improvement of their companies, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has officially recognized the first-ever national apprenticeship program for management systems auditors. Created by the Independent Association of Accredited Registrars (IAAR) in partnership with Workcred, the program will train and prepare the next generation of talent to audit organization-wide management systems in industries as diverse as aerospace, manufacturing, health care, food processing, and beyond.

The IAAR Auditor Apprenticeship program, a registered apprenticeship program with the DOL, was created following extensive consultation with industry leaders from diverse sectors. The competency-based program creates a pipeline of registered management system auditors, expanding the pool of competent auditors for accredited certification bodies that register companies to management standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Apprenticeship is a work-based learning model with documented success in boosting economic growth and creating long-term career opportunities for U.S. workers. According to DOL, workers who complete apprenticeship programs can earn an average of $300,000 more over the course of their career when compared to peers who do not. Nationwide, there currently are more than 533,000 apprentices obtaining the skills they need to succeed while earning wages. The model provides a post-secondary education and training pathway that includes on-the-job training, related training and instruction, rewards for skills gains, and a national occupational credential.

About Workcred

Formed in 2014, Workcred is an affiliate of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) whose mission is to strengthen workforce quality by improving the credentialing system, ensuring its ongoing relevance, and preparing employers, workers, educators, and governments to use it effectively. Workcred's vision is a labor market that relies on the relevance, quality, and value of workforce credentials for opportunities, growth, and development.

About IAAR

A trade association providing the leading voice in North American certification/registration to ISO management system standards, IAAR members have registered 75 percent of Fortune 500 companies to these ISO standards, resulting in over 650,000 certificates, and work to promote accreditation of certification bodies.