60 Seconds with Sean McDonagh

What is your role?

I work as the Training Administrator at the UK head office in Dunstable. I’m responsible for maintaining the day-to-day workings of the training department, ensuring each of our training courses are carried out to an excellent standard.

I deal with all training enquiries, whether it be helping to organise in-house or public training courses for the year or assisting customers/clients with which training they should be taking. I also manage our eLearning portal, assisting clients with courses to boost or kick-start their knowledge of their desired standard(s). 

Most memorable moment at work?

I recently attended Automechanika at the NEC in Birmingham. Myself and 3 other members of the NQA team were there to promote our certification and trainig services in IATF 16949. It was great to see the new technology from all of the exhibiting companies and knowing that NQA could certify all of them as we are the second largest certification body in the world for the automotive sector.

After joining in March this year and being relatively new to the industry it was great teambuilding experience for me and a great chance to see what NQA do in a new environment and setting for me. The event also gave me the chance to interact with people interested in our products across all standards and sectors. 

Favourite things about working for NQA?

Shortly after I started working for NQA things changed very quickly and I found that there was a lot of responsibility entrusted in me in a short space of time. After starting on a temporary basis I was made permanent after showing that I could deal with the responsibility of the role and this is something I am very grateful for.

Our Managing Director, Matt Gantley, gave me this responsibility after he acknowledged how quickly I settled into the role and was able to take on the training area of the business.

My favourite thing about NQA is that they are quick to recognise talent and are not shy at rewarding and praising their staff and are quick to make you feel like an essential part of the team and the family. I feel that people in the company are motivated and hard-working due to the way they are treated within the organisation, it's rare to find a company of this size that works that way in this day and age.

Top tip for people looking at certification?

My top tip for people looking at certification would be to know where your weaknesses lie. I have with nessed several companies fail their assessments as they do not have adequate knowledge of the standard they are trying to gain certification for. They will then have to undertake training to become certified.

To save your self valuable time and money work on identifying your weaknesses and complete a training course beforehand your auditor arrives. Prepare yourself as much as possible prior to an audit so that you can try to address any non-conformances.

How might you be able to help our readers?

I can help you with any and every training enquiry you have. I can help organise in-house courses for your company, or get you onto the correct training course so you can become an expert in your field. I am also working hard to make sure that we have the best and most skillful trainers on board so if you think you have what it takes to become part of the NQA family then please get in touch at training@nqa.com.