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Realizing these objectives is effectively achieved by use of Lean Six Sigma: a combination of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma. Both management strategies belong for years to the most applied in the world and their success have largely been proven. Lean Six Sigma is a clear, practical and structured method to reduce lead times, production losses, quality complaints and operational expenses.
Lean Manufacturing aims to eliminate waste in every area of production including customer relations, product design, supplier networks and factory management. The Lean Manufacturing goal is to incorporate less human effort, less inventory, less space and less time to develop and produce top quality products and to become highly responsive to customer demand in the most efficient and economical manner possible. Its origin is Toyota.
The result is that a company will perform at Operational Excellence which is about producing products cost-efficient and without failures that will meet customer expectation.
The goal of Six Sigma is to increase business profits by eliminating variability, defects and waste that undermine customer loyalty. Six Sigma is a rigorous and systematic methodology that utilizes information (management by facts) and statistical analysis to measure and improve a company’s operational performance by preventing ’defects’.
Obj. 1 – Bridge gap between Initial VET and SME
Lean Six Sigma methodology and tools are not part of Initial VET although it is practised in many companies. Currently employees from the work floor do not talk the same language and do not apply the same methodology in process improvement activities as Lean Six Sigma trained engineers.
This will be addressed by defining a curriculum for Initial VET in a minor construction. This level is called Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt. It will teach the most important tools and the overall process improvement methodology. Yellow Belt training at Initial VET will meet the labour market needs of SME companies for working on quality and process improvement.
Obj. 2 – Bridge gap Initial VET and Higher Education
Now, training is mostly done at an engineering level. This is called ’Green Belt’ or ’Black Belt’ level. People at the work floor are not trained in Lean Six Sigma and do therefore not speak the ’language’ of the process improvement process.
The objective is to develop a specific training for Initial VET. This will be called ’Yellow Belt level’. By developing training of the same methodology and tools as the Green Belt and Black Belt, a bridge will be made between Initial VET and Higher education. The difference will be made by selecting the amount and depth of tools. However, the methodology and vocabulary will be the same.
Obj. 3 – Six Sigma European certification
Although there are several companies worldwide that train individuals in Lean and Six Sigma, there is no global standard. In the US companies are aiming for the standards of the ASQ. In Europe there is no such like. As a consequence the Belt-levels can mean many things. The objective is to develop one European standard that clearly describes the skill set and expertise for each of the three Belt-levels.
People will be able to apply for a European certificate for the below mentioned levels via ECQA (European Certification and Qualification Association).
— Yellow Belt : Initial VET secondary level
— Green Belt : Higher Education and Adult Education
— Black Belt : Adult Education
The ECQA has been established through former LLP funded networks and currently certifies 16 professions in Europe.
Contact: Andreas Riel
