Are you being audited by an imposter?
Strong Language
Sounds like strong language? It is and with justification our industry is highly professional and it is important that we maintain a high level of competence and integrity.
The role of an EASA or GCAA compliant aviation auditor is relatively straight forward and is focused on the  obligation to perform “Gap Analysis” against a standard. and to share any found discrepancies with the business area owner or post holder (nominated person).
So what is the Issue?
Essentially auditors who lack an understanding of the functioning of the EASA regulatory process may as a result create at best a misunderstanding and at worst downright confusion. Consider that some auditors have the mistaken belief that “training standards” are approved by the regulatory authority! (This is not in fact the case) The “training standards” are approved by the relevant organisation and “accepted” by the CAA (Regulatory Authority).
Within the EASA or GCAA system it is the responsibility of each and every organisation to manage the competence of its work force which off course includes assessing and managing the need for training. (Competence Assessment and Training Needs Analysis TNA)
Some Auditors apparently have a wild imagination!
Imagining that there is an approved training authorized by the EASA, CAA or the GCAA is fundamentally wrong because it would serve to remove from the organisation any  “obligation” to measure the effectiveness of the said training.
Reality Check
1/ the organisation – not the CAA is responsible to manage the competence of its employees.
2/ the organisation – not the CAA is responsible for the Training Needs Analysis (TNA) and for determining that the training which is delivered to its employees is appropriate correct and meets the intent of all regulatory and organisational requirements.
3/ the role of the CAA is not to approve the organisations training program courses by course, rather to ensure the process whereby the organisation “self-determines” and is managed in a regulatory compliant way.
4/ Auditors who do not understand the above process and ask the apparently simple question “is this course approved by the CAA” demonstrate their complete lack of competence to actually deliver an effective audit.
5/ Ineffective auditing can lead to false beliefs as regard the risk and exposure of the organisation across the business process.
6/ An effective auditor does not “tick boxes” by asking irrelevant questions rather he or she seeks to validate the organisations ability to manage itself fully compliant with all regulatory requirements.
Auditor Competence
The ability of an auditor to deliver effective audits is a core auditor competence, which needs to be managed by the organisation. An ineffective auditor reflects on the ability of the organisation to deliver effective oversight of contractors and subcontractors in a real and effective way.
About Sofema Aviation Services
Over the last 8 years Sofema Aviation Services has delivered regulatory training to more than 10,000 delegates. With 45 years of commercial aviation experience behind our training program, our focus is on delivering real and connected regulatory compliant training which promotes a strong understanding of the options for safe and effective optimization of the organisation. Please see www.sassofia.com or email office@sassofia.com
