Competence and Proficiency Testing for Laboratory Staff

Explains how laboratories assess and maintain staff competence and how proficiency testing and interlaboratory comparisons support confidence in test results. Covers competence assessment methods, training records, participation planning and the interpretation of proficiency testing performance statistics for corrective purposes, linking individual capability to overall laboratory credibility.

What you will be able to do

Design a competence assessment plan for laboratory analysts and technicians.
Select methods for initial and ongoing competence verification.
Maintain training and competence records that support audit review.
Plan participation in proficiency testing and interlaboratory comparison schemes.
Interpret z scores and other performance statistics from proficiency testing rounds.
Investigate unsatisfactory proficiency testing results and implement corrective actions.

Course outline

01Defining competence for laboratory roles
02Competence assessment methods
03Training records and ongoing verification
04Introduction to proficiency testing schemes
05Choosing and scheduling participation
06Interpreting performance statistics
07Investigating unsatisfactory results
08Linking competence to quality outcomes

Who should attend

Laboratory managers, quality officers, technical signatories and training coordinators responsible for staff competence.

Dates, venues and fees

Dates	Venue	Days	Fee
17 to 18 Aug 2026	Harare	2	US$1,100
24 to 25 Aug 2026	Kampala	2	US$1,100
31 Aug to 1 Sep 2026	Dar es Salaam	2	US$1,100
7 to 8 Sep 2026	Pretoria	2	R10,000
14 to 15 Sep 2026	Cape Town	2	R10,000
28 to 29 Sep 2026	Online	2	US$900
5 to 6 Oct 2026	Mozambique	2	US$1,100
12 to 13 Oct 2026	Cairo	2	US$1,100
19 to 20 Oct 2026	Accra	2	US$1,100
26 to 27 Oct 2026	Lusaka	2	US$1,100
2 to 3 Nov 2026	Kigali	2	US$1,100
9 to 10 Nov 2026	Nairobi	2	US$1,100
16 to 17 Nov 2026	Durban	2	R10,000
23 to 24 Nov 2026	Johannesburg	2	R10,000
7 to 8 Dec 2026	Mauritius	2	US$1,100
14 to 15 Dec 2026	Dubai	2	US$1,100
21 to 22 Dec 2026	Lagos	2	US$1,100

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

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Training a whole team?

We can run Competence and Proficiency Testing for Laboratory Staff privately for your team, on your dates and built around your own systems. Group delivery is usually more cost effective from about six delegates.

Run this in-house