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Whitestone International College of Innovation delivers quality-assured, standards-aligned programmes that integrate academic rigour, industry relevance, and digital fluency to develop principled leaders who deliver measurable impact.

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Whitestone International Diploma in Quality Control and Quality Assurance (QA/QC) – Engineering

The Whitestone International Diploma in Quality Control and Quality Assurance (QA/QC) – Engineering is a 12-month vocational programme designed to provide a structured, practice- oriented foundation in quality management, inspection, and assurance for engineering and industrial environments.

Course Overview

The programme integrates four key dimensions:

Fundamentals of quality management in engineering – principles, systems, roles, and culture.
Technical quality control and inspection – drawings, specifications, measurement, testing, and acceptance criteria at vocational–intermediate level.
Process and supplier quality – production, fabrication, maintenance, and supply-chain quality practices.
Risk, reliability, continuous improvement, and professional practice – using data and structured methods to prevent defects and strengthen customer confidence.

It is intended for individuals working in, or aspiring to work in, manufacturing, fabrication, construction, oil & gas, power, utilities, engineering services, and related industrial sectors, where QA/QC functions are critical to safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

Learners will explore how QA/QC practitioners interpret standards and specifications, support inspection and testing activities within their competence, document compliance, manage nonconformities, and contribute to continuous improvement, always under the guidance of relevant engineering, HSE, and management authorities. The emphasis is on structured QA/QC support, data integrity, and disciplined documentation, not on independent engineering sign-off or regulatory certification.

This diploma is vocational and non-regulated. It does not qualify learners as chartered or licensed engineers, welding inspectors, pressure-vessel inspectors, authorised signatories, or certified NDT personnel, and does not authorise them to sign off designs, pressure systems, lifting equipment, or any other safety-critical items. Specialist roles (e.g. API/ASME inspector, ISO 9712/ASNT NDT personnel, statutory boiler/pressure inspector, or licensed professional engineer) require additional accredited qualifications, examinations, experience, and approvals in line with applicable laws, standards, and professional-body requirements.

Why This Course is Important?

Poor quality in design, materials, fabrication, installation, or maintenance can lead to failures, accidents, environmental damage, and financial loss.
Organisations are expected to demonstrate systematic quality management, traceable documentation, and effective inspection regimes aligned with standards and client expectations.
Well-trained QA/QC staff help prevent defects, identify nonconformities early, and drive continuous improvement, supporting both technical teams and management.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this programme, participants will be able to:

Explain core concepts in quality management, QA, QC, and quality culture in engineering and industrial contexts.
Read and interpret basic engineering drawings, specifications, and standards at awareness level, and understand their implications for quality control.
Support inspection, measurement, and testing activities within clearly defined procedures and competence boundaries, maintaining accurate records.
Assist in managing nonconformities, corrective and preventive actions, and supplier quality issues in line with organisational processes.
Use basic quality tools and simple data analysis to help monitor performance and identify improvement opportunities.
Demonstrate awareness of regulatory, safety, and ethical dimensions of QA/QC, escalating technical and safety-critical issues to appropriate professionals.
Contribute to maintenance of quality documentation and audits as part of an engineering quality-management system.

Target Audience

Individuals in or aspiring to roles such as QA/QC Technician (support level), Quality Inspector (support level), Quality Coordinator, Production Quality Assistant, Supplier Quality Support, or Maintenance QA Assistant.
Staff in manufacturing, fabrication, construction, oil & gas, petrochemical, power, utilities, automotive, aerospace supply chains, engineering services, and EPC environments with QA/QC responsibilities.
Graduates and technicians seeking a structured QA/QC foundation to complement engineering, technical, or manufacturing backgrounds.
Professionals from adjacent fields (e.g. operations, maintenance, HSE, purchasing, project administration) who require a stronger understanding of QA/QC functions to support cross-functional work.

Entry Requirements

A recognised higher secondary qualification, diploma, or equivalent, preferably with prior study in engineering, technology, science, or related technical subjects
Comfort with basic mathematics, measurement concepts, and technical reasoning
Proficiency in English (IELTS 5.5 or equivalent recommended) to engage with standards at awareness level, procedures, and quality documentation

Programme Structure & Modules

Module 1 – Foundations of Quality Management in Engineering

QA vs QC vs Quality Management:
Definitions, relationships, and role of each in the engineering lifecycle.
Quality in the engineering value chain:
Design, procurement, fabrication, construction, installation, commissioning, and maintenance.
Principles of quality management:
Customer focus, process approach, leadership, engagement of people, evidence-based decision making, improvement mindset.
Quality culture and behaviours:
Ownership, discipline, reporting issues, and learning from nonconformities.
Overview of quality systems:
Awareness of frameworks such as ISO 9001 and sector-specific expectations at conceptual level.
Roles in QA/QC:
Management, engineers, inspectors, technicians, operators, suppliers, and clients; where QA/QC support staff fit in the structure.

Module 2 – Engineering Drawings, Specifications, Standards & Documentation

Engineering drawings and documents at awareness level:
Basic interpretation of views, dimensions, tolerances, weld symbols, and simple bill of materials (within scope).
Technical specifications and datasheets:
Purpose, structure, and key elements for materials, components, and equipment at support level.
Standards and codes (awareness only):
Non-jurisdiction specific awareness of international and industry standards (e.g. ISO, EN, ASME/API awareness), without detailed code training.
Quality-relevant documentation:
Inspection and test plans (ITPs), quality plans, method statements, and work instructions at support level.
Control of documents and records:
Version control, approvals, traceability, and retention requirements.
Communication using technical documentation:
Clarifying requirements with engineers, supervisors, and suppliers; documenting clarifications and deviations.

Module 3 – Inspection, Measurement & Testing (Awareness Level)

Principles of inspection and verification:
Sampling concepts, inspection stages (incoming, in-process, final), and acceptance criteria at vocational level.
Measuring and test equipment (M&TE) awareness:
Common instruments (e.g. vernier callipers, micrometers, gauges, basic NDT instruments at awareness level), proper handling, and calibration awareness.
Destructive and non-destructive testing (NDT) overview:
Visual testing (VT), radiographic testing (RT), ultrasonic testing (UT), magnetic particle testing (MT), liquid penetrant testing (PT) at conceptual, non-certifying level.
Dimensional and visual inspection:
Checking basic dimensions, surface condition, and workmanship against drawings and standards under supervision.
Test reports and inspection records:
Accurate, objective recording of results, deviations, and observations.
Calibration and traceability awareness:
Importance of calibrated instruments, calibration certificates, and audit trails.

Module 4 – Process Quality, Production & Supplier Quality Management

Process approach to quality:
Mapping key processes and identifying critical control points in manufacturing, fabrication, or construction.
In-process quality control:
Line checks, process monitoring, control charts awareness, and rework prevention.
Supplier and incoming goods quality:
Supplier qualification awareness, incoming inspection, and nonconforming-materials handling.
Quality in fabrication and construction at awareness level:
Welds and joints awareness, fit-up, alignment, bolting, coatings, and finishing checks (under engineer/specialist direction).
Maintenance and service quality:
Ensuring maintenance tasks are done to specification and correctly recorded.
Managing nonconformities and corrective actions:
Raising NCRs, supporting root cause analysis at basic level, and following up on corrective and preventive actions.

Module 5 – Risk, Reliability, HSE Interface & Continuous Improvement

Quality and risk:
How defects translate into safety, environmental, financial, and reputational risks.
Reliability and integrity awareness:
Concept of reliability, failure modes awareness, and preventive thinking at conceptual level.
Interface with HSE:
QA/QC’s role in supporting safe systems of work, permit-to-work documentation quality, and equipment integrity records.
Basic quality tools:
Check sheets, Pareto charts awareness, cause-and-effect (Ishikawa) diagrams, 5-Whys problem solving.
Continuous improvement methodology at awareness level:
PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) and simple improvement projects.
Ethics and escalation:
Acting when quality or safety is compromised; avoiding falsification of records; communicating concerns through correct channels.

Module 6 – Quality Systems, Audits, Data & Professional Practice

Quality management systems (QMS) in practice:
How procedures, work instructions, forms, and records fit together.
Internal audits awareness:
Audit purpose, basic audit process, and QA/QC support roles (e.g. providing evidence, addressing findings).
Data and performance monitoring:
Collecting and summarising simple quality metrics (e.g. defect rates, rework, on-time delivery).
Reporting and communication:
Writing clear, concise quality reports, and presenting data to supervisors and teams.
Professional practice and development:
Accountability, confidentiality, impartiality in inspection, and avoiding conflicts of interest.
Career pathways in QA/QC:
Progression from support roles to quality engineering, quality management, supplier quality, or specialist inspection, subject to further qualifications and experience.

Awarding Body

Whitestone International College of Innovation

United Kingdom

Qualification Type

International Diploma – Vocational Qualification

(Industry-aligned qualification issued by Whitestone International College of Innovation, UK)

Assessment & Certification

Assessment Methods Include:

Written assignments on foundations of quality management; drawings, specifications and documentation; inspection, measurement and testing; process and supplier quality; risk, reliability and continuous improvement; and quality systems, audits, data and professional practice.
Practical tasks such as reviewing a simple ITP, checking sample drawings against basic requirements at awareness level, drafting checklists and simple forms, summarising inspection results, and preparing nonconformity and corrective-action templates.
Scenario-based exercises requiring learners to interpret quality issues in realistic engineering settings and propose proportionate, ethical QA/QC responses within their role scope.
Reflective work on quality culture, personal responsibility, and learning from nonconformities and audits.
Final Capstone Project: QA/QC Improvement Plan for an Engineering Process or Project, with a structured written report and/or presentation.

To obtain the diploma, learners must successfully complete all module assessments and the capstone project in line with Whitestone’s academic standards.

Certification:

On successful completion, participants will be awarded:

Whitestone International Diploma in Quality Control and Quality Assurance (QA/QC) – Engineering Issued by Whitestone International College of Innovation, United Kingdom

Benefits of Attending

Provides a robust, engineering-focused foundation in QA/QC principles, inspection support, documentation, and continuous improvement.
Equips learners to support quality engineers, supervisors, and managers in implementation of quality plans, inspections, nonconformity management, and performance monitoring.
Enhances employability in support-level QA/QC roles within manufacturing, fabrication, construction, oil & gas, power, utilities, and engineering-services organisations, subject to employer and jurisdictional requirements.
Helps organisations strengthen defect prevention, traceability, and compliance by building disciplined, well-trained quality support capacity.
Creates a strong platform for further study in Quality Management, Industrial Engineering, Reliability and Maintenance, or sector-specific QA/QC certifications (e.g. NDT, welding inspection, auditing), where the learner meets entry criteria.

Industry Alignment

The programme reflects widely recognised principles of engineering quality management and QA/QC practice, including:

Emphasis on process-based quality, prevention rather than detection only, and evidence-based decision making.
Focus on traceable documentation, impartial inspection, and responsible escalation of safety-critical concerns.
Recognition that consistently high engineering quality depends on competent, ethical QA/QC practitioners at all levels, working in partnership with design, production, maintenance, HSE, and management.

£2000

£ 0

Industry-focused programmes with global standards.
Practical skills for real-world success.
Academic excellence with career-ready outcomes.

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Progression & Academic Pathways

Graduates of the Whitestone International Diploma in Quality Control and Quality Assurance (QA/QC) – Engineering may:

Progress to higher-level diplomas or degrees in Quality Management, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering, Reliability & Maintenance, or related engineering and management disciplines (where entry criteria are met).
Enhance their suitability for roles in QA/QC, inspection support, production and process quality, supplier quality, and project quality functions across manufacturing, construction, oil & gas, energy, and engineering-services sectors.
Use this diploma as a structured foundation for additional technical and professional development, such as internal-auditor or lead-auditor training, NDT and welding-inspection certifications, sector-specific QA/QC qualifications, or further vocational courses, in line with national regulations, standards, and employer requirements.

Together We Learn, Together We Grow

At Whitestone, we believe in collaborative learning where students and faculty grow together through knowledge and experience. Our supportive community fosters teamwork, innovation, and shared success.

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