About the video:
SCC is a world leader in accreditation. This video introduces us to three individuals who carry out this important work, and who share with us their experiences and perspectives on the vital role assessors play. Watch this video to learn more about how assessors help ensure consumer safety, and discover how you can become part of this important work.
Experts who join SCC's assessment programs have experience with standards, laboratory work, and certification and/or accreditation. They possess an interest in career and professional growth and they enjoy making a difference in the lives of Canadians. Learn more on how you can become an assessor for SCC.
Tags:
- conformity assessment
- participation opportunities
Transcript:
Georgette MacDonald, Measurement Science and Standards, National Research Council: Did you get all
your homework done?
Child: Yeah...
Georgette: My name is Georgette MacDonald. When I'm leaving for an assessment, I am thinking about the things that I'm going to see and preparing myself for the fact that I might not be getting what I expect when I get there.
Child: Bye bye.
Georgette: Bye. Have fun.
Yvon-Louis Trottier, Microbiology Laboratory, Health Canada: My name is Yvon-Louis Trottier. I've been doing audits since the early 1990s, so it's over 20 years right now. We travel across Canada. I've traveled a couple of times to Europe. Every time you're doing a technical assessment, it's a new world, new people, new fields. It's a new adventure every time.
Sylvie Dionne, Manager, Materials Analysis and Structures, Transportation Safety Board of Canada: I am Sylvie Dionne. My job is to do materials examinations for investigations of transportation accidents. To me personally,
participating in reassessments is a way to keep current. It's a way to meet other people. It's a way also to give back to the system.
Yvon-Louis: Any time you're visiting a lab, it's a new experience. It's the human dimension, the exchange. They learn a lot from us, we learn a lot from them. And it's nice to know about what is coming in research and new technology. ">
Sylvie: During the technical assessments, we look at all of the aspects of their technical operations to see if they meet the requirement of the standard. We're not there to be a police or to find fault, we're there to verify compliance with the standard, but also to help the lab to show their compliance with the standard.
Georgette: I'm always proud when I visit a laboratory and the first thing they do is tell me all of the things they have changed since the last time that an assessor has been there. It's wonderful to see that continuous improvement and the striving to be better at what they're already really good at.
Yvon-Louis: And it's nice to be sure that the standard is up to date and that the lab is performing a work that enhances the confidence in the results to the Canadian public.
Sylvie: Let's say that you as a consumer are buying a car, so there are all kinds of parts in the car, and those parts are verified using different tests. So if they do those tests with competence, then the results are trustworthy, then the car manufacturer is able to build a safe and durable car for you.
Yvon-Louis: Canada is renowned as one of the top leaders in terms of conformity, standard setting, and verification. I feel very proud of it because I'm part of this team. We always learn from other people, so it's very, very interesting. It's dynamic.
Sylvie: It's a team effort, within all of the different laboratories, to make sure that we're competent and that we offer the best service possible. So by participating in reassessments, I can do my share.
Georgette: It really does provide me with an opportunity to learn something and teach something, which is a wonderful thing to be able to do.
Sylvie: I think it's a great opportunity.
Narrator: To learn more about becoming an assessor, visit the Standards Council of Canada.