Lean Practitioner
Lean Practitioner
Lean Practitioner - Lean Business Training Consultants
LeanPractitioner is our next level programme. If your employees are new to Lean, then we advise that your employees complete our Lean Essentials programme first. During our Lean Practitioner programme, we train your people how to lead a team and empower them to apply process improvement techniques in your business.
As well as the training, participants take part in our own experiential simulation game and we assign an expert Lean Mentor on a one-to-one basis to enable your people to implement the practical application of Lean tools to your own business. LeanPractitioner is equivalent to certification in a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
Our mentors advise your people on how to overcome the common barriers to implementing the new and improved ways of working. The projects that the participants undertake have a direct business value. We recommend that each participant has a senior sponsor within your organisation. On successful completion of the training, participants are awarded a nationally recognised certificate (QQI Award NFQ Level 5).
LeanPractitioner can be delivered online or in person. It is run over 12 weeks consisting of:
- Pre-course orientation,
- 10 online training sessions each one themed around a process improvement tool,
- Each participant is supported by 8 expert 1:1 mentor sessions.Â
- We would require a minimum of 8 people for this programme.
Better Employee Engagement throughout your Company
Make individual and departmental responsibilities crystal clear
Improve the quality of your product or service
Create a More Focused and Profitable Business
“What goes beyond other training options are the mentoring sessions. These coaching sessions make the whole thing practical and bring it into the real world. This sets it apart form other training programmes. This gave us a scaleable model to improve and streamline our business.”Â
“Lean was always something we tried to implement. However, this programme helps you think in a different, smarter way. It opens your mind to not only challenging how you do things but making this a team task. The onsite mentoring was fantastic as you got the chance to really explore and examine your existing processes and procedures.”
Frequently Asked Questions
- Mentor Session 1 :Â Course Preparation and Project Selection
- Lesson 1: The 5 Principles of Lean – Defining Customer Value, The 10 Wastes
- Lesson 2: Business Simulation – Project Charter & Supporting Data
- Lesson 3: Business Simulation – Kaizen
- Mentor Session 2:Â Project Charter & Supporting Data
- Lesson 4: Business Simulation – 8-Step Problem-Solving
- Mentor Session 3:Â Kaizen & Countermeasures
- Lesson 5: Business Simulation – Value Stream Mapping
- Mentor Session 4: Value Stream Mapping
- Lesson 6: 5S Workplace Organisation & Kanban
- Mentor Session 5: 5S & Kanban
- Lesson 7: SMED
- Lesson 8: Standard Work
- Lesson 9: Asset Care
- Mentor Session 6: SMED & Asset Care
- Mentor Session 7: Project Evaluation & Standardisation
- Mentor Session 8: Project Evaluation & Standardisation
- Lesson 10: Final Project Presentations
- Assess an organisation against the 5 principles and 10 wastes
- Define project terms of reference
- How to run a Kaizen event
- The 8-step process improvement methodology
- Assess lead times in a business with Value Stream MappingÂ
- The 5S approach to workplace organisation
- Control of material or information with Kanban
- Reduce changeover or critical time windows with SMED
- Define standard practice with Standard Work
- Ensure better efficiency with Asset Care programme
Credit is quantified in multiples of 5 FET credits (up to 50 hours of learner effort). Learner effort is based on the time taken by typical learners at the level of the award to achieve the learning outcomes for the award. It includes all learning time involved including: guided learning hours, self-directed learning and assessment.
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Lean Practitioner is intended for any improvement leader, managers, supervisors, team leaders and other key staff involved in process improvement. There are no qualification perquisites, however a good knowledge of and access to personal productivity tools (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint) is needed to complete the assessed assignments.
LeanPractitioner is equivalent to certification in a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and successful participants receive a Lean Manufacturing Tools QQI Award NFQ Level 5.
This programme is run over 12 weeks. Your commitment is estimated at 8 to 10 hours per week.
Contact us for further details.
As we use video conferencing and online whiteboards, you will need:
For 1080p HD video: an internet speed of at least 3.8Mbps/0.3Mbps (up/down), the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari, set to accept cookies and pop-ups, and a computer equipped with camera & microphone.
We provide Leaners with the following support, nearly all of which aligns to our core area of teaching in the application of Lean:
- Course Materials: Learners have access to comprehensive course materials that cover all relevant content.
- Learning Management System (LMS): Though our LMS learners have access to the induction, course materials, worked examples, assignments and feedback.
- Communication Channels:Â Our Learners can contact us by email and via our Office and their Mentor throughout the training
- Technical Support: Learners have access to technical support to help them with technical difficulties they might encounter via our Office Management, Trainers, and Mentors.
- Feedback: Our trainers, mentors and assessors offer constructive feedback to learners on their progress and performance on assignments.
- Mentorship: We aim to provide training and mentorship as part of all our programs. This enables us to provide individualised support to learners, offer guidance and advice, and answer questions.
- Additional Support: Through our mentorship activities we provide additional support to learners who need extra help to ensure they understand and can meet the learning objectives.
- Flexible Scheduling: Within the boundaries of course duration guidelines and for mentoring we offer flexible scheduling options to learners, allowing them to learn at their pace and convenience.
- Accommodations for Special Needs:Â LeanTeams provide accommodations, as necessary, for learners with special needs, such as those who require a different learning environment, technology, or support.
LeanTeams work with a range of businesses that often include employees with English as a Second Language (ESOL). As such we recognise the need to provide a range of support to help learners understand and engage with new information. This includes:
- Vocabulary In our teaching material, we stress the definitions of particular terms that are relevant to understanding Lean and Continuous Improvement. In our teaching explanations, we avoid the use of colloquial and culturally specific terms.Â
- Visual Aids: In teaching and in our core area of expertise, we recognise that different kinds of visual aids, such as diagrams, flowcharts, photographs, maps, tables or illustrations, are helpful for learning new subjects, aiding better understanding of the subject.
- Simplified Language: We avoid the use of complex language when giving instructions, worksheets, and assignments. Sentence structure and vocabulary choices must be appropriate for the learners’ level.
- Cooperative Learning: As much of our learning takes place in workplaces, we encourage learners to work in groups, build relationships, identify commonalities, and communicate about subject matter.
- Feedback and Assessment: We recognise that our process of continuous formative and formal assessments help learners keep track of their progress, and feedback can address their areas of weakness or misinterpretation. All assessment feedback is adapted to the needs of our learners.Â
- Language Support: Together with the employers we work with, we will identify when additional language support in the form of translators, language coaches or buddy-groups and communicating are essential to facilitate learning.
Learners who complete the QQI module 5N5407 Lean Manufacturing Tools may have transfer and progression opportunities in various ways.Â
Further Education and Training:Â Completing the 5N5407 Lean Manufacturing Tools module can be a stepping stone for learners who wish to pursue further education and training in the field of lean and six sigma or related process improvement or project management disciplines. They can consider enrolling in higher-level QQI modules or courses that build upon the knowledge and skills gained from this program.
Higher Education:Â Depending on the specific requirements of the higher education institutions, learners who have completed the 5N5407 module may be eligible for credit transfer or advanced entry into relevant degree programs in areas such as manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, operations management, project management or supply chain management. They may need to undergo a recognition of prior learning (RPL) assessment to determine the amount of credit or exemptions they are eligible for.
Employment Opportunities:Â The knowledge and skills acquired through the 5N5407 Lean Manufacturing Tools module can enhance learners’ employability in any business sector. They may be eligible for entry-level positions in organisations that implement lean practices. Job roles may include lean manufacturing technician, lean process improvement coordinator, or lean production assistant. With further experience and professional development, learners can progress to higher-level roles within the field.
Professional Development:Â Learners who have completed the 5N5407 module may consider pursuing additional professional development opportunities to further enhance their expertise in lean. They can attend workshops, seminars, or specialised training programs offered by industry associations, professional bodies, or training providers to expand their knowledge and skills in areas such as Lean Six Sigma, Value Stream Mapping, or continuous improvement methodologies.
Entrepreneurship:Â Some learners may choose to apply the knowledge gained from the 5N5407 module to start their own lean manufacturing consulting or training businesses. They can offer their expertise to organisations seeking to implement lean practices or provide training to individuals interested in acquiring lean manufacturing skills.
It’s important to note that the specific transfer and progression opportunities for learners who complete the 5N5407 Lean Manufacturing Tools module may vary depending on factors such as the learner’s overall qualifications, the requirements of educational institutions or employers, and the specific pathways available in their region or industry. It’s advisable for learners to research and consult with relevant institutions, industry associations, or career advisors to explore the specific opportunities available to them based on their individual circumstances.
Case Studies
You can also read our case studies to see how our clients used LeanPractitioner to improve their business.