IRCA Certified ISO 14001 (EMS) Auditor/Lead Auditor Training Course
Course Category: Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
Course Title: EMS Auditor/Lead Auditor (based on ISO 14001)
Kelmac Group's® EMS Auditor/Lead Auditor course, based on ISO 14001:2004, teaches students the principles, processes, and techniques used for the assessment of and management of:
- Environmental aspects and impacts; and
- Their significance for EMS auditors.
Experienced instructors guide students through the role of an Auditor in planning, conducting, reporting, and following up an audit (in accordance with ISO 19011:2011 and ISO/IEC 17021) by interpreting the requirements of ISO 14001. Students gain necessary auditing skills through a balance of:
- Pre-course assignments and tests;
- Formal classroom tutorials;
- Practical role playing assignments;
- Group workshops and open forum discussions;
- Continuous self-assessment during on-site delivery and post assessment; and
- Written examination in EMS
Who should attend?
- Individuals interested in conducting second- or third-party audits of EMS management systems
- Environmental Management Representatives
- Environmental Consultants
- Engineers
- Regulatory Affairs Managers
- Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental managers
- Environmental cross-functional team members of an environmental implementation project
- Certification Body/Registrar Auditors
- Individuals who want to become an IRCA or RABQSA Certified Provisional Auditor, Auditor, or Lead Auditor
Benefits to Your Business
- The ability to conduct an Environmental risk assessment of the effectiveness and maturity of the organization's EMS management systems by interpreting the requirements of ISO 14001
- The ability to conduct second-party EMS audits of the organization's supply chain by interpreting the requirements of ISO 14001
- The ability to conduct third-party EMS audits by interpreting the requirements of ISO 14001
Course Pre-requisites
- An online pre-course assignment must be completed a minimum 1 working week in advance of the on-site class to confirm eligibility to attend the on-site element of the training
- The objectives of the new online pre-course assignment is to:
- To demonstrate all delegates meet IRCA's prior knowledge requirements associated with this course:
- We recommend that students have knowledge of ISO 14001 gained prior to this training course
- Ensure all delegate's are of a similar minimum standard to enable the class progress and pace maximises delegate satisfaction and effective learning
- Enable the Tutor(s) to assign delegates into groups that enables the class to progress through the course program effectively and without adversely affecting a delegate's or class's learning
- Delegates will be required to have their own copy of ISO 14001 in completing the pre course assignment and for use during the on-site training course
- The time taken to successfully complete the assignment will vary based on an individuals knowledge and experience plus time allowance for self-study. On average, it should take between 8-15 hours.
Kelmac Group Pre Course Assignment Policy
- Each Student is expected to get an overall grade of 70% in the pre-course assignment to satisfy the minimum pre-course assignment requirement. Students who get an overall grade of 55% will be allowed to attend the planned on-site class but will be required to complete additional graded assignments during the on-site class delivery.
- Any Student who gets an overall grade less than 55% will not be allowed to attend the on-site class until they meet the minimum grade necessary to meet the pre-course assignment requirement.
Learning Objectives
- Understand environmental management terminology, principles, processes, and techniques for the assessment and management of environmental aspects and impacts, including their significance for EMS.
- Understand the purpose, content, and interrelationship of ISO 14001, the ISO 14001 series guidance standards, and the legislative framework relevant to an EMS.
- Understand the role of an EMS Auditor to plan, conduct, report, and follow-up an audit in accordance with ISO 19011 and ISO/IEC 17021.
- Be able to undertake the role of an Auditor in planning, conducting, reporting, and follow-up an audit in accordance with ISO 19011 and ISO/IEC 17021 by interpreting the requirements of ISO 14001.

Course Structure
The pre-course assignment and online test is expected to require between 8 and 15 hours to complete, based upon student's prior knowledge/experience.
The on-site class is a 40-hour (/5-day) course. Evening study will be required of every delegate (student). It is expected the supervised evening study may be between 6 and 8 hours. The Kelmac Group® recommends that all students attending treat the course as residential (you could lose a valuable hour or more in commuting).
The post on-site class will culminate in a written EMS Auditor examination. The written examination is planned to take two hours to complete
Course Start: 08:30am / Course Finish: 17:30pm
A detailed course breakdown is as follows:
Day 1
- Introduction and Welcome
- Accreditation and Certification/Registration
- International Environmental Management System Standard ISO 14001:2004
- Document Management Systems
- Statutory and Regulatory and Other Requirements Framework
- Day 1 Learning Cycle Review
Evening:
EMS Aspects/Impacts
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
- Day 4 Recap
- Completing the Audit
- Evaluating Corrective and Preventive Actions including audit finding closure
- Audit Follow-Up Strategies
- Analysing the audit Findings
- Final Audit Team Meeting
- Closing/Exit Meeting
- Course Summary/Continuous Assessment Report
- Examination Instructions
- Course Close
Student Assessment
The student is assessed prior to the start of the on-site class, during the on-site class based on participation and performance throughout the duration of the course. This includes all exercises, role plays, case studies and all other activities during the course.
PLEASE NOTE: Full attendance is required during the training course.
Post the on-site class. There is a two-hour written auditor examination at the end of the on-site class. The first written auditor examination is based on EMS, or ISO 14001. The written examination is closed book; however, the student is required to have a hard-copy version of the relevant management system standard (ISO 14001) for class use. The minimum pass rate for each written auditor examination is 70%.
Training Methodology
"Accelerated Learning"
(AL) is the most advanced teaching and learning method available today – it is a total system of speeding up and enhancing the design and learning process. What makes Accelerated Learning so effective is that itʼs based on the way we naturally learn. It actively involves the whole person, using physical activity; creativity; collaboration among learners; variety that appeals to all learning styles; contextual learning with real-world immersion; the creation of a positive physical, emotional, and social environment; and other methods designed to get people deeply involved in their own learning.
What's Included on the course
- FREE online access to relevant reference material via the Kelmac Group® for the training
- FREE online access to all primary and relevant standards from course registration until completion of the course program
- FREE online study guide to assist in the completion of the pre-course assignment tests, on-site delegate assessment and post assessment, written examinations
- FREE online assessments prior to commencing the on-site class via the Kelmac Group® Learning Management System
- Access to a two hour study preparation session led the Kelmac Group® Instructor on the evening prior to completing the IRCA EMS written examination
- Comprehensive quality delegate manual that can be used as a reference manual by students following the on-site course
- During delivery of the on-site class, students may have access to a variety of Instructors who are experts in their respective fields
- The Kelmac Group® is an IRCA-Approved TORS. Kelmac Group® Instructors will be delighted to assist any student wishing to become an IRCA Registered Auditor, complete the IRCA Auditor application, and/or review the student's support documentation for conformity with the relevant IRCA's Auditor scheme.
- The Kelmac Group® will also be delighted to process the student's completed application with IRCA. Students who meet IRCA's Auditor scheme requirements and who process their application via the Kelmac Group® qualify for a 25% reduction in the IRCA auditor application fee. Each student is responsible for and liable for online payment of the relevant fees with IRCA.
Further Information
Kelmac Group offer all of our Training Solutions on an In Company/In House basis. These solutions can be tailored to meet the specific needs and requirements of the client.
Our fees are very competitive and if you would like further information, please contact our office directly on +353 (61) 491224 or email info@kelmacgroup.com