Recap: Industry Spotlight: Navigating Careers in Quality Seminar with Martin Spackman

Our guest speaker, Martin Spackman shared invaluable insights on how to break into Quality and build a successful career within it.

This session was packed with actionable advice, career insights, and real-world strategies for navigating Careers in Quality.

If you missed it, here’s a recap of the key takeaways!

Key Takeaways from the Seminar

1. Seeking Opportunities for Career Success

   
   

Martin emphasised the importance of taking initiative and seeking opportunities:

• Leave your Comfort Zone: Take up job opportunities that are in a different city to where you live or in a different field you are in to build your character and grow.

• Growth Mindset: Being willing to learn and to humble yourself is such a key trait as Quality involves a lot of technical knowledge that needs to be learnt.

• Being Curious: Martin shared how curiosity helped accelerate his career. Always ask questions to your seniors about certain words they use or certain concepts.

2. Building your Technical Knowledge

   
   

   Technical proficiency is essential for success in Quality:

   
   

   • Key Qualifications: Pursue qualifications in Auditing such as, Internal Auditor Practitioner - ISO 9001 offered by the BSI (Accelerating Progress Towards a Sustainable World | BSI)

   • Knowledge of Standards: Understanding ISO:9001 is a key component of the required technical knowledge in Quality (can learn more here: What is the ISO 9001 standard? A straightforward overview).

   • Learning Resources: Martin suggested listening to the podcasts Rashad in Conversation (hosted by Rashad Issa)  and Ever So Lean (hosted by Matt Sims).

3. Career Routes in Quality

   
   

   Martin stressed that Quality was not only checking the final part or product but encompasses a business’s process from start to finish:

   
   

   • Quality is Everywhere: Quality jobs can be found in numerous sectors such as, automotive, retail and hospitality among others. 

   • Inspector to Director: Martin recounted his own career journey from production line to Managing Director. Quality is an industry which allows visible progression and you would not be stuck only checking the final part or product.

   • International Opportunities: With Quality, you are able to work internationally as shown by Martin who has worked in the UK, Europe and the USA. 

4. Success in the World of Quality

   
   

   Martin shared insights to stand out and succeed in the World of Quality:

   
   

   • Seek Projects: Seek work projects such as, improving a small part of the company’s process to implement the theory you have learnt.

   • Understanding the Company’s Values: An understanding of the company’s values and priorities will not only boost your job applications but allow you to perform better in your role in Quality.

   • Showing Interest: Martin advised to genuinely show interest in Quality by researching key methodologies such as, Lean or consuming Quality content on the Internet. 

5. Networking and Professional Memberships

   
   

   Networking and being a member of a professional organisation are key components for success in Quality:

   
   

   • Network with Everyone: Build relationships with everyone and do not discount the value they can bring even if they are not some top director. Martin noted how some of the best advice he received was from a colleague working on the production floor. 

   • Professional Memberships: Look into joining professional organisations for Quality such as the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) or the British Quality Foundation (BQF) to further your professional network. 

   • Power of Listening: Martin explained how listening is a powerful skill which will help you to understand people better, be able to connect with them and strengthen the relationship further. 

Interactive Q&A Session

Attendees had the opportunity to ask Martin further questions regarding Quality, and he provided tailored advice on topics such as key learning resources, how to transition into the industry from a non Quality background and key skills needed for success in Quality. The Q&A clarified specific challenges faced when breaking into the world of Quality and spotlighted this booming industry.

What’s Next?

Following the success of our previous seminars, NextGenHub is excited to bring to you our final seminar of 2024 happening on Saturday 30th November. This seminar is just one of many events we host to empower you on your career path. Stay tuned for more information on how to sign up for the next seminar.