ISO Readiness Assessment Set to Ensure and Maintain Quality Extension Services

ATI Compound, El Salvador City--- Not resting on its laurels after securing the top spot among the nine regional training centers that has undergone 3rd Party Audit, the management and staff of the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center X (ATI-RTC X) geared up and rolled up its sleeves again for its 2nd Readiness Assessment.

Joining the center's 2nd Readiness Assessment is TUV-SUD Lead Auditor and Consultant Engr. Paul C. Mondoñedo. The assessment is meant to identify areas for potential improvement of the management system programs and to verify compliance of the developed, implemented and maintained management system requirement of the ISO 9001:2015.

“You are the master of your processes and procedures. Consider the analysis result of this Readiness Assessment as your room for improvement”, Mondoñedo said during his delivery of presentation.

The scope of audit includes the development and provision of Training, Knowledge Products and Services, Accreditation of Extension Services Providers, Scholarships, Alliance Building, National Extension System Planning, and Monitoring and Evaluation.

Six sections were up for the assessment employing methodology such as random sampling, interviews and open discussions, checking of documents and records, observance of actual implementation, trailing and notes-taking. OIC-Center Director Maria Lydia A. Echavez served as the Quality Management Representative on behalf of the management. Since its 3rd Party Audit on January 11 this year, ATI-RTC X resulted with zero non-conformities (NCs) and only 14 Opportunities for Improvement (OFIs).

The ISO 9001:2015 is an International quality management system standard. Presently, there are over one million companies and organizations in over 170 countries certified to ISO 9001. The standard is based on a number of quality management principles including a strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach and continual improvement. Using ISO 9001:2015 helps ensure that customers get consistent, good quality products and services.

On the other hand, the 3rd party auditor, TUV-SUD is a global company who has a comprehensive portfolio of testing, certification, auditing and advisory services.

The 2nd Readiness Assessment will run from August 1-2, 2019.