Greg Ness, Quality Director for Sharp Packaging Solutions, explains why he placed emphasis on his staff becoming certified in quality principles.
 
As a Contract Manufacturer (CMO), we are always being challenged to do things better, faster and less expensively. In order to succeed in this environment, we need to consistently engage and develop our team. Over the past four years, the Quality team at Sharp Packaging has been encouraging staff to pursue studies in quality principles.
 
Interviews with new staff shortly after my start date indicated strong feedback from the Floor QA Inspectors that there was a lack of growth opportunities. With the assistance of Tom Deutsch (Director of Human Resources) and Doris Correa (Associate Director Quality Assurance), a development ladder for the Floor QA Inspectors was created that combined on-the-job and external learning. Certification has become a key pre-requisite to advancing up the Sharp ladder. The program has been subsequently expanded to all of Sharp’s Quality groups.
 
In December 2016, a total of nine Sharp employees succeeded in their efforts toward certification pushing the total number of certificate awardees over 50 since inception of the program. The most popular certification has been CQIA (Certified Quality Improvement Associate) with 33 awardees to date. The Book of Knowledge for the certificate offers an excellent starting point for professionals looking to develop their basic quality and continuous improvement skills.
 
About ASQ
ASQ provides the quality community with training, professional certifications, and knowledge to a vast network of members of the global quality community. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, ASQ champions people who are passionate about quality in more than 150 countries. ASQ operates Regional Centers in North Asia, South Asia, Latin America and the Middle East/ Africa. ASQ’s global offices provide local access to the quality community, career development, credentials, knowledge, and information services.
 
ASQ certification is a formal recognition by ASQ that an individual has demonstrated a proficiency within, and comprehension of, a specific body of knowledge. ASQ offers 18 different certification opportunities and has recently added its 19th and newest certification: Supplier Quality Professional.