Challenges and Prospects of Implementation of ISO 9001:2015 in TVET Institutions: The Case of Nkabune Technical Training Institute
Abstract
Quality is considered to be a competitive weapon in today’s marketplace. There is now a shift to service-based economies where supply chain has become complex and there are increased expectations from customers. Consequently, there is a need for a greater focus on customer requirements where conformity of products and service delivery should be ensured. This can be achieved through the implementation of high-level-structured Quality Management Systems (QMS) such as the ISO 9001:2015, an updated version of the ISO 9001:2008. A significant number of TVET institutions have induced the confidence of their stakeholders by implementing ISO 9001:2015 into their system; however, there is major gap in research in the area of ISO 9001:2015 implementation in these institutions. The aim of this paper therefore is to investigate the challenges and prospects of Implementing ISO 9001:2015 in TVET institutions and propose solutions to address these challenges. The research adopted a mixed methods approach and a two-stage sampling procedure was used on a sample size comprising 33 teaching and none teaching staff of Nkabune Technical Training Institute. A toolkit containing a self-administered questionnaire and a structured in-depth interview guide was used. The study ascertained that Nkabune Technical Training Institute in its quest to acquire and implement ISO 9001:2015 certification encountered key challenges namely: massive documentation requirements, high cost of hiring consultants, and complexity of the processes and lack of clear understanding of ISO requirements. The standard is highly documentation-driven and requires that all documentation be updated to reflect all its system requirements. The study recommends the use of an effective document management system that ensures easy accessibility and accuracy of documents while maintaining their validity. Academic institutions should also consider integrating ISO 21001:2018 management system for educational organizations to complement other international standards. Development of a good organizational culture is also a fundamental pre-requisite to the successful implementation of the standard and for the achievement of quality.
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