Sponsored by Worcester Chapter 25 & WPI Student Chapter
SME, AME and Shingo Prize recently combined efforts to produce the first nationally recognized lean certification program consisting of three levels; Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each level provides an industry-recognized lean credential that documents your knowledge and skill. Candidates must complete the requirements of each level before progressing to the next.
Lean Certification provides benefits to both you and your employer.
Benefits to employees:
Provides a widely recognized and transportable lean certification credential
Documents your knowledge and skill to show that you qualify for new roles and responsibilities
Guides your lean journey, with each step mapped out
Offers opportunities to obtain mentoring to help you build your lean skills
Provides opportunities to learn through mentoring others
Benefits to companies:
Provides a consensus-based tool for measuring proficiency of lean practitioners
Identifies true lean experts, removing uncertainty when engaging a consultant or hiring an employee
Helps align lean practices within the company, through supply chains and across industries
Provides customers with confidence that the organization’s continuous improvement efforts will be effective
The two-day review program (January 4 & 5, 2007) is a focused study session that will prepare you to take and pass the bronze level certification exam. You will also get a sound understanding of the portfolio requirements for Lean Bronze Certification. Study materials for the course consist of the body of knowledge listed at http://www.sme.org/cgi-bin/certhtml.pl?/cert/lean_certification.htm&&SME&. These materials must be purchased and read by attendees prior to attending the review course. Please bring your materials for use during the course and the open book exam.
The exam will be given on the morning of January 6. Those wishing to take the exam must register directly with SME at least three weeks before the exam date.
Our instructor will be Patricia (Pat) Wardwell, who has over 18 years of experience in manufacturing and is Continuous Improvement Manager at Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership. Prior to her association with GBMP, she was Vice President of Operations at United Electric Controls Company, a 1990 winner of the Shingo Prize for Manufacturing Excellence.
Pat has been involved with continuous improvement efforts on the shop floor and in support areas since 1987. She has led and participated in numerous cross-functional improvement teams in areas ranging from shipping to assembly, and machining. She has been a speaker at many regional and national conferences on related topics. Pat holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Maine, an MBA from Bentley college and is APICS Certified in Integrated Resource Management.
Schedule of Events
Days 1 and 2 – Bronze Level Lean Certification Review Course
When: Thursday & Friday, January 4 & 5, 2007, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Location: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, Massachusetts. The review course will be held in the Campus Center.
Cost: $395 per person. Lunches, breaks, and copies of presentation materials are included.
Registration: To register, contact Tom McBride at 508 845-1546 or [email protected]. Payment must be received by December 15, 2006. Make checks payable to SME Chapter 25 and mail to: Tom McBride, PCS, Inc., 36 Deerfield Road, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
See a list of topics that will be covered at http://chapters.sme.org/025/homepage.htm.
Day 3 – Bronze Level Lean Certification Exam
When: Saturday morning, January 6, 2007, 8:00 to 11:30 am.
Location: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, Massachusetts. The exam will be held in Washburn Labs, Room 229.
