Given the robust development of India’s trade and industrial sectors, there is a pressing need for assurance of product quality and a risk-free production process. However, there is no widely adopted international qualification scheme to recognize the competence and qualifications of auditors, quality assurance (QA) personnel and technicians in the field. To address this, Compliance Practitioners Initiative (CPI) was recently established as a global qualification scheme for current and future practitioners in the quality domain, which will benefit all supply chain stakeholders. Through recognized training programs and assessment of competence-based skills and knowledge, the scheme will set industry benchmark by qualifying people with confidence and in turn bring the standard of the profession to a new height.
CPI was launched in India, at Hotel Trident on September 8, 2010, with Dr. Darlie Koshy, Director General and CEO of Institute of Apparel Management gracing the occasion as the chief guest. Also present as guests of honour were Dr. AKG Nair, Group Director, Pearl Academy of Fashion and Mr. Sanjay Gulati, MD, Modelama Exports Ltd. CPI was represented by Mr. William Quilindo, Chairman, Mr. David Ho, CEO, Mr. Laurent Lebarq, and Mr. Albert Yeung. during this event.
CPI was launched in the United Kingdom in May with accreditation from City & Guilds, a Royal Charter and leading global developer of vocational education and training for over 100 years. CPI's first accredited program – the "CSR Auditor and Lead Auditor Training Program," came into offer on May 26, in the authorized Intertek Training Center in China. Soon, the program will also be available in Hong Kong and India, with plans to expand availability to other parts of the world.
Mr. William Quilindo, Chairman of CPI says, "Our aim is to qualify people with confidence. We provide a qualification framework based on competence and knowledge for industry practitioners. Through recognized training programs, they will be equipped with industry knowledge of the depth and breadth they need in performing job tasks with necessary skills. Practitioners will also have to undergo an independent assessment and verification before they can be qualified for a CPI designation.”
In addition to the "CSR Auditor & Lead Auditor Training Program," a variety of qualification programs for QA and quality control (QC) personnel, environmental & quality auditors and others, targeted at different supply chain stakeholders are also under development. CPI global website, www.compliancepractitioners.com, contains an up-to-date listing of the certification status of its members, as well as an open industry platform where interflow of knowledge and best practices in the industry takes place.
“We are determined to set a global industry benchmark through our qualification scheme and to establish a living community through which practitioners can maintain and improve their competence. This will broaden the knowledge base and enhance quality of our profession,” added Mr. Quilindo.
“Over the past 132 years, City & Guilds has been committed to providing quality vocational education that responds to market trends and requirements,” said Mr. John McGee, Head of International Operations, City & Guilds. ”We strongly believe expertise and technical know-how are the first step towards professional success, as well as the cornerstone for social sustainable development. Despite the change of time, City & Guilds has always built solid long-term relationships with distinguished employers in a rich variety of industries around the world, with an aim to support their long-term strategies and objectives in talent training."
”Human resource management is an integral part of corporate success in the 21st century. City & Guilds is glad to join forces with CPI to recognize the qualifications of practitioners, as nurturing of talents and professional recognition are the key elements behind sustainable and stable development of industries. We are confident that our strategic partnership will help companies better understand the importance of CSR and quality, thus enabling them to further grow in line with international standards,” added Mr. McGee. ”We also believe the qualification of CPI Certified CSR Auditor and QA/ QC personnel will allow employers to further develop their business by hiring workers with appropriate certification.”
“With CPI, the much needed recognition and validation of personnel and the need to have a global certification is being addressed,” said Mr. Dilip Gianchandani, Regional Director, Intertek.
About CPI
Established in the United Kingdom, Compliance Practitioners Initiative (CPI) is a global qualification scheme for practitioners in the testing, inspection and certification industry. Through recognized training programs, assessment of competence-based skills and certification, CPI aims to set industry benchmark by qualifying people with confidence and bring the standard of the profession to a new height.
About City & Guilds
City & Guilds is a registered charity established in 1878 to promote vocational education and training was granted a Royal Charter in 1900. As one of the world's leading vocational awarding bodies, City & Guilds is dedicated to vocational education and training. Each year, City & Guilds Group qualifies around 1.8 million learners in 80 countries. City & Guilds works with employers (including Tesco, London Underground, McDonald's, Langham Hotels International), training providers and government agencies to provide over 500 qualifications which reflect the rapidly demands of employment across the world.
About Intertek
Intertek (ITRK.L) is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 26,000 people in more than 100 countries around the world.
