Learner information
Practical Lean Business Application: entry requirements, transfer, progression and learner protection
This page sets out the information you need before applying for or enrolling on the Practical Lean Business Application programme, published in line with our obligations under section 67 of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012.
The programme combines classroom learning, practical application in your own workplace, individual mentoring and supported online learning. If anything here is unclear, please contact us before you enrol.
On this page
- Programme and award
- Access and entry requirements
- Pre-programme activities and admission
- English language requirements
- Digital requirements
- Recognition of prior learning
- Transfer
- Progression
- Fees and payment
- Cancellation, transfer and substitution
- Deferral
- Repeat assessment and appeals
- Protection of enrolled learners
- Complaints, appeals and academic integrity
- Further information
Programme and award
- Award: QQI Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Practical Lean Business Application, 15 FET credits, NFQ Level 6.
- Validation: validated by QQI on 11 June 2026, programme code PG26497.
- Provider: ETAC Ltd, trading as LeanTeams, QQI provider reference 387161.
- Duration: 12 weeks, preceded by pre-programme activities that begin approximately six weeks before the first classroom day.
- Learner effort: 150 hours in total, of which 68 hours are directed and 82 hours are self-directed.
- Delivery: four classroom days in Dublin, three workshops, six one-hour mentor sessions, and supported learning through the LeanTeams Moodle environment.
- Assessment: four project-based tasks weighted 30%, 25%, 25% and 20%. Tasks 1 to 3 include feedback and an opportunity to revise; Task 4 is a final presentation on the last classroom day. There are no written examinations. Assessment is carried out by an assessor who has not mentored the learner, is internally verified, and is subject to external authentication.
Access and entry requirements
The programme requires learners to apply Lean methods to a real improvement opportunity in their own workplace. Entry requirements reflect what a learner needs in order to do that successfully and to achieve the learning outcomes at NFQ Level 6.
Applicants are expected to:
- be currently employed, with access to a workplace where improvement activity can be carried out;
- hold a suitable role in their organisation, typically with two or more years’ experience in a service or operational role;
- have sufficient authority or influence to test and make changes to the working methods in the area they select;
- have the support of their manager or sponsor, who signs off the project charter and the relevant assessment tasks;
- have a foundational understanding of Lean thinking and the ability to recognise and classify waste in a business context;
- have the digital and communication skills needed to use the Moodle learning environment and to take part in workshops and mentoring.
Applicants who do not already have a foundational understanding of Lean are asked to complete the LeanTeams Lean Essentials programme, or equivalent prior learning, before commencing.
Applicants submit an improvement project brief, which is assessed against five criteria: alignment with the applicant’s role; authority to make or influence change; suitability of the area for Lean methods; the stage of the project, which must be a genuine improvement opportunity rather than the implementation of a predetermined solution; and management support. Where any criterion is not met, LeanTeams works with the applicant and their sponsor to refine the scope, select a more suitable area, or recommend alternative training.
Admission is subject to LeanTeams being satisfied that the applicant meets the entry requirements and has a suitable opportunity to apply the learning in practice.
Pre-programme activities and admission
Entry is completed through a short sequence of pre-programme activities, which establish readiness and ensure that each learner begins with a well-defined project:
- a preparation workshop covering the programme and the project charter;
- a full-day Lean Business Simulation;
- a first mentor session; and
- three assessed submissions, completed in sequence: a project outline, a Lean Wastes assignment, and a project charter with sponsor sign-off.
Each of the three submissions must meet an 80% standard, assessed against a defined rubric, before the learner is admitted to the programme. The pre-programme activities form part of the admission process and are not part of the programme’s duration. Applicants who do not meet the standard in time are offered a place on a later cohort.
English language requirements
The programme is delivered and assessed through English. Learners need sufficient competence in English to take part in classroom sessions and workshops, engage in discussion, practical exercises and mentoring, understand programme materials and assessment instructions, prepare written assessment submissions, and deliver an oral presentation.
Where English is not the learner’s first language, applicants should normally have English language competence of at least level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), or equivalent. LeanTeams may request evidence of English language competence where this is necessary to establish an applicant’s ability to participate successfully.
Digital requirements
Learners require access to a suitable computer or laptop and a reliable internet connection. Learners must be able to take part in scheduled sessions and to access the LeanTeams Moodle environment, which is used for programme resources, assessment submission, grading and feedback. Guidance on accessing the learning environment is provided at the start of the programme.
Recognition of prior learning
LeanTeams recognises that relevant learning takes place through formal education and training, workplace experience, and other non-formal and informal learning. Applicants may seek consideration of relevant prior learning for the purposes of access, transfer or progression.
No specific academic qualification is required for entry. Applicants seeking entry through recognition of prior learning are assessed against the same requirements set out above, in particular relevant workplace experience, sufficient autonomy to lead change, and a suitable improvement project. Applicants may be asked to provide evidence of the knowledge, skills and competence already acquired. Each application is considered individually, in accordance with the LeanTeams Access, Transfer and Progression and RPL procedures.
Transfer
The programme is a 15-credit Specific Purpose Certificate at NFQ Level 6 and is a discrete programme of education and training. There is no automatic entitlement to transfer from this programme to another programme.
The learning achieved and the award obtained may be considered by another education or training provider when assessing an application for entry, transfer, credit or recognition of prior learning. Any such decision rests with the receiving provider, under its own admissions and recognition procedures. Learners considering transfer are encouraged to discuss their options with LeanTeams and with the prospective receiving provider.
Progression
Successful completion leads to the QQI Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Practical Lean Business Application, carrying 15 credits at NFQ Level 6.
The award may support progression to further education, training or professional development in areas such as Lean practice, operational excellence, business improvement, quality and leadership, and to enhanced roles in improvement or team leadership. Progression is not automatic: entry requirements and the recognition of this award are determined by the provider of the programme to which the learner wishes to progress. LeanTeams provides information and guidance on progression opportunities on request.
Fees and payment
- Programme fee: the current fee is set out in your written quotation and on the programme page. Training is exempt from VAT.
- Lean Business Simulation fee: part of the programme fee, paid before the Lean Business Simulation. The current amount is set out in your written quotation and on the programme page. It holds your place and is deducted from the programme fee if you are admitted.
- Grant subsidy: eligible companies may receive funding through Skillnet Ireland networks, which reduces the amount payable by the company. Subsidy levels vary by network and are confirmed by the network, not by LeanTeams.
- Included in the fee: the preparation workshop and Lean Business Simulation, four classroom days, three workshops, six mentor sessions, access to the Moodle learning environment and all templates, assessment, internal verification, external authentication, and the QQI certification fee. There are no additional examination or certification charges.
- Confirming a place: how a place is confirmed depends on who is paying.
- Paying personally: the Simulation fee, paid by card through a secure link sent with your application confirmation.
- Employer invoiced: a purchase order, or written confirmation from your sponsor or finance contact. The Simulation fee is invoiced against the purchase order.
- Skillnet-funded: approval from the network.
- Payment: the balance of the programme fee, after deducting the Simulation fee, is invoiced on admission, once your pre-programme submissions meet the required standard, and is payable before the first classroom day. Learners paying personally may pay the balance in two equal instalments, the second due before the third classroom day.
- Skillnet-funded places: the network collects the company’s contribution and pays the programme fee to LeanTeams. The network’s approval and the learner’s registration details must be confirmed before the pre-programme activities begin. If network funding is not confirmed, or is withdrawn, the programme fee becomes payable by the employer under the terms above.
Cancellation, transfer and substitution
- Cooling-off period: if you book and pay personally, you may cancel within 14 days of booking and receive a full refund. If you ask us to start the pre-programme activities within that period, the refund is reduced in proportion to the activities already provided.
- Before admission: if you attend the Lean Business Simulation and then withdraw, or your pre-programme submissions do not reach the required standard, the Simulation fee is not refundable and is kept as payment for the Simulation. If you withdraw before the Simulation, the Simulation fee may be transferred to any cohort starting within 12 months. Where the place was confirmed by network approval, a cancellation charge equal to the Simulation fee applies. Any other payment is refunded in full.
- After admission, 14 or more days before the first classroom day: you may choose a refund of fees paid, less the Simulation fee, or a transfer to a later cohort at no charge.
- Within 14 days of the first classroom day, or after the programme has started: fees are not refundable. You may transfer once to a cohort starting within 12 months, under the deferral terms below.
- Substitution: an employer may substitute another learner at no charge, provided the substitute completes the pre-programme activities to the required standard before the first classroom day.
- Cancellation by LeanTeams: if a cohort does not proceed, you will be offered a place on the next available cohort or a full refund of all fees paid, including the Simulation fee if the Simulation has not taken place.
All cancellations and transfer requests must be made in writing.
Deferral
A learner may defer once, to a cohort starting within 12 months, where circumstances prevent them from continuing. These include illness, bereavement, parental leave, and a change of role or employer that affects the improvement project.
- There is no charge for a deferral supported by brief evidence of the circumstances. Other deferral requests are subject to an administration fee.
- Assessment work already graded carries forward, provided the improvement project remains valid.
- Where a change of role or employer means the project is no longer valid, the learner agrees a revised project charter with their mentor before rejoining.
- A learner who does not rejoin within 12 months may re-register at the prevailing fee, less any fees already paid for the uncompleted programme.
Repeat assessment and appeals
- Tasks 1 to 3 include feedback and an opportunity to revise within the programme, at no additional charge.
- Task 4, the final presentation, is assessed on the last classroom day.
- A learner who does not achieve a component may make one further attempt at the next assessment window, at no charge. For Task 4, this means presenting at a later cohort’s final classroom day.
- Any subsequent resubmission is charged per component, at the rate current at the time, to cover assessment, internal verification and external authentication.
- There is no charge for an assessment appeal.
Protection of enrolled learners
LeanTeams operates in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, as amended, and the requirements of QQI.
The statutory protection of enrolled learners arrangements set out in the 2012 Act apply to programmes of three months or more. This programme runs for less than three months from the first classroom day to the final classroom day, and the pre-programme activities form part of the admission process, so statutory arrangements do not apply to it.
LeanTeams nonetheless makes the following commitment to every enrolled learner. If LeanTeams becomes unable to complete delivery of a cohort for any reason, learners will be offered a place on the next available cohort, with all assessed work carried forward, or a refund of fees paid for the part of the programme not delivered. LeanTeams maintains programme, assessment and learner records to support this, and will cooperate with QQI and other relevant parties as required.
Complaints, appeals and academic integrity
Learners may appeal an assessment result under the LeanTeams Assessment Appeals Policy, and may raise a complaint about any aspect of the programme under the LeanTeams complaints procedure. Both are set out in the LeanTeams quality assurance procedures.
All learner submissions are subject to plagiarism checks and to a declaration of original work. Learners receive guidance on academic integrity at induction.
Reasonable accommodations are provided where required. Learners are asked to identify support needs at registration, or at any point during the programme, so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Further information
LeanTeams aims to ensure that prospective learners have enough information to make an informed decision before enrolling. If you have questions about entry requirements, recognition of prior learning, transfer, progression, English language requirements, fees, accessibility or learner protection, please contact us before you enrol.
ETAC Ltd trading as LeanTeams, LeanTeams Office Suites, 20 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, D02 H364.
To talk through any of this before you apply, book a 15-minute call.
Last reviewed: October 2026.