2: defining auditor learning objectives what an auditor needs to learn

Creating a world where environmental sustainability and social justice are the normal conditions of business

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2. Defining Auditor Learning Objectives: What an Auditor Needs to Learn

Define Training NeedsDefine Training Needs

Provide for Training

MonitorDesign and Plan

TrainingEvaluate Training

Outcomes


© SAI 2009 - draft for review

Intro to Auditor Learning Objectives

> As a course designer, you need to understand that there are three broad learning objectives for the social and environmental auditor:

– Knowledge (also called didactic or cognitive learning)

– Skills– Attitude (also called

affective learning)

Skills

Knowledge

Attitude




Expanding from Generic to Standard Specific Learning Objectives

Example topic: Child Labor in the workplace

Auditor Skills• Interviewing workers• Reviewing identification

documents for inconsistencies

• Reviewing documents for possible use of unauthorized sub-contractors

• Drawing information from schools

• Visual observation for underage workers

Auditor Knowledge• National law defining “child”

& “young worker” and compulsory education laws

• International conventions on allowable work

• Common problems in sector and region - use of child labor in embroidery

• Standard policy on allowable work

• Hazards to young workers

Auditor Attitude• Personal and cultural bias

toward child labor• Understanding local

context, including parent situation

• Willingness to investigate for possibly forged documents

• Recognizing value of remediation



© SAI 2009 - draft for review Defining Auditor Learning Objectives 4

Auditor Knowledge Fundamentals

> Your curriculum must clearly define the criteria against which the auditor is measuring each facility

– Relevant UN Conventions– Core ILO Conventions – ISO management system principles, including ISO 19011:2000,

process for conducting a management system-based audit– ISO 14001 – Environmental standard– Your standard, if applicable– Relevant industry or corporate codes– National and local law– Trade agreements and treaties

Knowledge

What are the specifics for your system? Click below for a worksheet to get you started.




Auditor Knowledge Fundamentals

> Audit preparation – before visiting the facility

> Introductory meeting with facility management

> Facility walk-through or tour

> Interviewing workers

> On-site document review

> Closing meeting with facility management

> Guidelines for managing follow-up activities

Knowledge

Click below for a sample Auditing Guidance for Social Auditors. You can also reference ISO19011:2002 Guidelines (http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=31169)



© SAI 2009 - draft for review 6

Skills

Knowledge

Attitude





Auditor Skills Fundamentals

> Core Skills

– Document review

– Stakeholder engagement, including interviews with NGOs and trade unions

– Interviewing workers and managers

– Visual observation

– Physical inspection

– Identifying needed corrective actions

– Analyzing the severity of problems and whether systemic

Skills




Auditor Skills Fundamentals

> Core Skills

– Verification– Time management– Audit planning and coordination with client and audit team– Researching relevant laws and collecting data– Audit report writing– Effective sampling techniques– Specialized skills specific to your standard

Skills

These are the general topics to cover. What are the specific activities and

related skills needed to audit to your standard? Click below for a worksheet to get you started.




Auditor Attitude Fundamentals

Defining Auditor Learning Objectives 10

> Cultural awareness and sensitivity (such as attitude toward discrimination)

> Evaluating conflicting evidence

> Willingness to engage with external stakeholders

> Thoroughness in conducting background research

> Investigative approach

> Fundamental attitude toward management and workers

Attitude




Auditor Attitude Fundamentals

> Open-minded and as objective as possible

> Ability to empathize with all parties

> Professionalism and discretion

> Ability to lead or be part of team, as appropriate.

Attitude

These are the general topics to cover. What are some other attitudes needed to audit to your standard? Click the notes for a worksheet to get you started.




Defining Advanced Learning Objectives

12

These are the generaltopics to cover.

What are the specific objectives for your standard?

Click the notes for a Worksheet to get you started.

Auditor Skills• Effectively interviewing

workers• Comparing documents• Identifying methods of

document manipulation • Determining possible use of

unauthorized sub-contractors• Root cause analysis• Diffusing hostile situations• Ability to secure management

buy-in and trust of workers• Drawing information from

NGOs and unions

Knowledge• Common problems by

industry and location• Difficult elements to

audit in your standard• Mathematical ability

related to calculations (such as wage) and other statistical analyses

Attitude• Evaluating credibility

of worker and management statements and allegations

• Creative approach to problem solving




Sequencing Learning Objectives

> Your audit system may have multiple levels of auditors (e.g. Lead auditor, team member, content expert, etc.). If so, you’ll need to define the learning objectives for each level:

– Review the completed Worksheets in which you defined the core and advanced knowledge, skills and attitude.

– From the Worksheets, define the additional learning objectives required to advance to the next auditor level.

> Auditor knowledge, skills and attitudes need to be continually refreshed, updated and calibrated.

> Define a course path that moves the student from basic to advanced auditor levels and also incorporates ongoing learning (e.g. Basic, Advanced, Special Skills, Refresher, Calibration courses)

> Define non-classroom pre-requisites, like field experience, for each level, including timeline.


2: defining auditor learning objectives what an auditor needs to learn

Business

environmental auditor

affective learning

broad learning objectives

advanced learning objectives

related skills

facility management

environmental standard

audit team