CQI teams up with BAE Systems

The Heads of Quality within different sectors at BAE Systems recognised the need for quality training that was rigorous and professional and could be supplied to its international network of staff. Increasingly, BAE Systems sees a shortfall in quality professionals in the UK and by employing people who may not have followed a traditional route into the profession it has recognised a greater need for thorough training.

As a geographically diverse organisation, quality professionals within BAE Systems had difficulty attending CQI training courses, which are often held in central London. BAE Systems had tried engaging employees on distance learning courses but for a number of reasons did not find this satisfactory – particularly for those new to quality.

The Heads of Quality at BAE Systems approached the CQI to enquire whether it could offer bespoke quality training courses to BAE Systems employees. The CQI agreed and the first BAE Systems CTQP 1 course ran during June and July 2009.  12 delegates from BAE Systems attended two three-day residential courses broadly covering:

• Quality fundamentals and creating a customer–focused culture 
• Process design and performance improvement
• Root cause analysis
• Quality tools and techniques for improvement

This course is designed for those at the beginning of their quality career.  On completion of CTQP 1, delegates become Associate Members of the CQI, which demonstrates that they are committed to a career in quality and are working towards full membership status. BAE Systems plans to run a second course with the CQI CQTP 2 in late 2009, for delegates who have been working in quality for a number of years.

Michelle Batty works as a Business Support Officer for BAE Systems at RAF Marham in Norfolk.  Michelle’s position is changing into a quality role so she took the CTQP 1 course to give her a thorough grounding in quality principles. One of the key benefits the course brought to Michelle was the opportunity to see how people in quality roles within other parts of BAE Systems are doing their job. She learned techniques from them that could then be applied in her quality role in the Tornado and Harrier business.

Sandra Rainford recently joined BAE Systems Submarine Solutions in Barrow as a Quality Assurance Engineer after a previous quality role in the pharmaceutical industry. Her key reason for taking the course was for career and professional development. Sandra found the knowledge and input of the course tutors particularly useful, as both had a great deal of experience that helped them to give real examples. This in turn helped Sandra and the other delegates embed what they had learned.

As well as gaining academic training, one of the key benefits reported by those completing the course is the opportunity to network with other quality professionals at BAE Systems. In addition to helping the individuals taking the course, this quality network will become a strong force in building the profile of quality within the organisation.

Ian Mitchell, Head of Quality at BAE Systems Submarine Solutions, commented: ‘The CQI rose to the challenge of providing BAE Systems with an educational route to membership through an excellent residential modular approach. This enabled us to not only increase our people's knowledge, but also to create new networks across business units that will last for years to come.’

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Laura Creyke or Martinee Reid at Ridgemount PR
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