Verner Wheelock passes ISO 9001 renewal with flying colours

Food industry training expert, Verner Wheelock has passed its three-year ISO 9001: 2015 re-certification audit without incurring any non- conformances. The company, which celebrated 30 years in business this year, has ensured that its Quality Management System (QMS) has been kept updated to reflect changes in working processes since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. These included the remote delivery of courses and flexibility in staff working.

ISO 9001:2015 is a quality standard and Verner Wheelock retains Lloyds Register as its certification body. Mitch Morrison is responsible for the implementation and day-to-day management of the QMS at Verner Wheelock and first developed it with MD Alison Wheelock in 2017. The QMS has helped the company to focus on customer feedback and trainer performance and analyse the data in more detail.

Morrison commented: “It’s great news that we have been able to renew our certificate. Customer feedback is extremely important to us as a company and customer satisfaction is a major part of our QMS. To have achieved an audit with no non-conformances is really excellent news following a tough year. It shows that we have suitable systems in place and that our staff are totally committed to delivering training with consistently high levels of customer service, whatever the circumstances.”

As part of the ISO 9001 certification programme, Verner Wheelock undergoes annual external audits, but this is the first time that the audit had been conducted remotely. Morrison said: “It wasn’t quite the same as a regular face-to-face audit, but it worked well. We were able to communicate via Microsoft Teams and upload documentation to a secure portal to provide the required documentation.”

One section of the QMS covers Risks and Opportunities, and one future opportunity identified this year was the development of blended learning and the skills and technology to embrace remote training delivery, due to the risks highlighted from recent lockdowns restricting travel and social contact. Verner Wheelock is already providing remote and classroom-based courses but will be looking to introduce further interactive elements over the coming months.

In addition to the external audit, Verner Wheelock has had several internal audits against ISO 9001 this year as part of a Lead Auditor course the company runs. A live audit with opening and closing meetings and report write up takes place on every course, and sections of the QMS are audited by the delegates. For more information on Lead Auditor and other auditing courses, visit: www.vwa.co.uk.