QUALITY ASSURANCE TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION

appoint a controlled material petty officer (CMPO) to handle these responsibilities in the work center. After training, that person will inspect, segregate, stow, and issue controlled material in the work center. SHOP CRAFTSMEN Shop craftsmen are not normally trained in specific QA functions as are the key QA people. Still, they must do their work under QA guidelines if they apply. They will work closely with their shop supervisors and QA inspectors to be sure the work is done according to QA guidelines and procedures. QUALITY ASSURANCE TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION The following paragraphs cover the responsibilities for training as well as training and qualifications of key QA personnel and others with less specific QA responsibilities. THE QUALITY ASSURANCE OFFICER The QAO coordinates the ship’s QA training program and makes sure it is an integral part of the ship’s overall training program. The QAO qualifies key personnel to serve in their collateral duty QA positions. THE DIVISION OFFICER Division officers ensure that their divisional personnel are trained and qualified in the QA processes and that they maintain those qualifications. QUALITY ASSURANCE COORDINATORS QACs are senior petty officers who have been properly qualified according to the QA manual. They help train all SQCIs and CMPOs and ensure their recertification when necessary. QACs also administer written examinations to prospective SQCIs and to SQCIs who require recertification. SHIP QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTORS The QAO interviews SQCIs to determine general knowledge of QA and attitude toward the QA discipline. If they are accepted, the QAO and QAC will qualify them in the requirements set forth in the QA manual and the command’s QC requirements. Qualifications include formal instruction and OJT, a written examination on general requirements, and may include a practical examination on specific requirements in the SQCI’s specialty and in knowledge of records, reports, and filing. The shop qualification program course for SQCIs will answer this requirement. CONTROLLED MATERIAL PETTY OFFICERS On ships with level I systems, the QAO interviews E-4 and E-5 petty officers as prospective CMPOs. For those who pass the interviews, the QAO and QAC will train and qualify them as CMPOs. This includes written tests to be sure they are familiar with controlled material requirements as outlined in the QA manual and material identification control (MIC) manual. OPERATION OF A QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM An effective, ongoing QA program is an all-hands effort. It takes the cooperation of all shop personnel to make the program work. As a key group supervisor, you will be responsible for keeping the program rolling. PERSONNEL ORIENTATION One of your first steps is to get the support of your personnel. Some of them will oppose the program but that is usually true of any new approach. The best way to overcome opposition is to show them how an effective QA program will help them personally. Explain how it will eliminate or reduce premature failures in repaired units and introduce high-reliability repairs. These improvements will reduce the workload, lower frustration, and improve the shop’s or work group’s reputation. QUALITY ASSURANCE TERMS AND DEFINITIONS You need to talk to your personnel about QA in terms they understand. Use words and phrases that suggest quality, and relate them to familiar programs. This should improve the clarity in your communication with them about QA. To do this, you need to understand the terms frequently used throughout the QA program. Each TYCOM’s QA manual and MIL-STD-109 has a complete list of these terms. We have listed the ones used most frequently in the next paragraphs, and we will discuss the more important ones in more detail following the list. Quality assurance: A system that ensures that materials, data, supplies, and services conform to 8-4