Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Quality Assurance

Manufacturers are working in mass production, making them bet on product quality. One little mistake can ruin the whole product. Those nightmares can cost millions to billions of pounds. With that in mind, a certain job is responsible for that. This is when quality assurance makes sure that the steps, materials, and rules in the production process are ready to go.

Quality assurance works to make sure the management system in the factories can keep the product the same for all. As a result, they can always expect the quality levels of the items they produce. QA is a division in the factories that can make sure customers receive final products that are of good quality with no flaws from the very first start. Thus, this role is important in any factory setting.

Are quality assurance jobs in demand?

Yes, quality assurance jobs are in high demand because many factories today depend on machines to maintain high-quality products. The need for this profession is sought by many employers. This demand is caused by many reasons, like government rules, ensuring high product standards, and the complexity of the manufacturing process.

For that reason, many sectors are in demand for that position, including pharmacy, automotive, construction supply, and many more. For pharma factories, the regulatory body requires following the rules with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action), and fixing problems. Therefore, an experienced and trained person in this field is valuable.

In manufacturing, there is an ISO 9000 standard that refers to a quality management system. A manufacturer that has this ISO has good credibility; thus, a role in quality assurance is what they need to make sure all products are of high quality. This is because they work by overseeing all the systems and principles when it comes to creating mass products.

Course Introduction

The Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Quality Assurance is purposely designed to meet the demand, as many factories are seeking more professionals in this field. For that reason, this course covers knowledge, tools, and necessary skills to control and improve system quality across production. By gaining more insight through this session, participants can become talented people who are related to industry standards.

Additionally, the course is fully online with flexibility in mind. This means students can join freely whenever they have time. Therefore, this programme is suitable for professional workers so that they can still do their work in the daylight and enjoy a quiet study time after that. Furthermore, here is the detailed course!

Curriculum Outline

The curriculum of the Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Quality Assurance is all about strengthening the foundation in ensuring good quality throughout the production process. It is designed by a professional in this field to ensure that all content is based on industry standards. Here is the curriculum outline of the course:

Fundamentals of Quality Assurance

• Introduction to Quality in Manufacturing
• History and Evolution of Quality Management
• Definitions, Principles, and Tools of QA
• Quality, Costs, and Value

Quality Management Systems (QMS)

• Structure and Components of QMS
• ISO 9001:2015 Requirements and Implementation
• ISO/TS 16949 for Automotive Sector
• Document and Record Control

Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Data Analysis

• Basic and Advanced Statistical Tools
• Control Charts and Process Capability
• Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA)
• Sampling Methods and Data Interpretation

Total Quality Management (TQM) and Continuous Improvement

• TQM Principles and Practices
• Kaizen and PDCA Cycle
• Benchmarking and Best Practices
• Employee Involvement in Quality

Lean and Six Sigma Methodologies

• Lean Principles and Waste Elimination
• Six Sigma DMAIC Framework
• Root Cause Analysis and FMEA
• Project Planning and Execution

Quality Auditing and Compliance

• Types of Audits: Internal, External, Supplier
• Audit Planning, Execution, and Reporting
• Non-Conformity Management
• Regulatory and Legal Compliance

Inspection, Testing, and Calibration

• Inspection Techniques and Equipment
• In-process and Final Product Testing
• Calibration Systems and Traceability
• Metrology in Manufacturing

Risk Management and CAPA Systems

• Risk Identification and Assessment
• Preventive and Corrective Actions
• Complaint Handling and Product Recall Procedures
• Case Studies in Manufacturing Failures

Supply Chain and Vendor Quality Management

• Supplier Selection and Evaluation
• Contract and Performance Management
• Global Supply Chain Challenges
• Quality Integration in Procurement

Entry Criteria

Applicants who want to join the Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Quality Assurance programme must have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in engineering, manufacturing, industrial technology, or a related discipline. For professionals, relevant working experience for five years can also be considered through portfolio assessment. For non-native English speakers, IELTS 6.0 or equivalent is required.

Quality assurance vs quality control

Quality assurance is a profession that creates guidelines for the overall production. Meanwhile, quality control is a role that checks after the product is finished. Their checking of the final product makes sure that the manufacturing process resulted in a good quality product without any flaws. Therefore, both of these professions work hand in hand. Thus, here is their difference:

1. Focus: QA divisions focus on the process, ensuring the procedures and guidelines are good to go for the operational flow. Meanwhile, QC divisions focus on the product, making sure the final product is ready for customers.
2. Purpose: The purpose of quality assurance is to build quality starting with the process and improve if there is anything that needs to be improved in the manufacturing system. On the other hand, QC works by identifying any defect in the finished product, so they can make sure all the products meet required standards.
3. Timing: QA time performance is before the product is started, while QC is performed after the product is manufactured.
4. Methods: The quality assurance methods work based on high standards. It is mainly from ISO 9001, which has been mentioned above. Therefore, they work on process documentation, preventive actions, and ensuring quality management systems. Meanwhile, quality control is mainly testing and sampling the finished product.
5. Responsibility: The one who is responsible for the QA role is mainly the quality assurance manager. Meanwhile, a QC is typically carried out by inspectors and testers.
6. Outcome: A skilled quality assurance professional can prevent errors and ensure the production process is smooth without mistakes. On the contrary, quality control involves catching errors that can be detected and removing mistakes.

Conclusion

In summary, quality assurance plays a vital role in manufacturing. They work before the production starts to make sure everything is properly in place. Therefore, a QA sets up the system first to prevent any errors. This role in manufacturing is crucial because a high-quality product is mandatory.

If you want to be a talented quality assurance professional, joining the course with the College of Contract Management is a perfect choice. The College collaborates with professionals in this field to make sure every student can fulfil their curiosity regarding the manufacturing process. Thus, it allows participants to learn directly from the best resource. It is time for you to shine. Come join us today!

The schedule for the Postgraduate Professional Diploma in Quality Assurance will be announced soon. After participants finish the payment process, they can get full access to all learning materials. However, they must fulfil all required documents first to finish the registration process. If there is any concern or question, just contact the CCM team through live chat or email. They are always ready to help!