Purdue to offer lean manufacturing, Six Sigma training

Purdue University again in 2011 will offer training in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma practices for which professionals can earn certificates.

The courses, sponsored by the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, part of Purdue's Technical Assistance Program, are for those currently working and for displaced professionals. Those who are unemployed may be eligible for training funds to pay for some of the courses and should check with their local WorkOne office for eligibility.

Six Sigma Green Belt and Six Sigma Black Belt courses combine a detailed roadmap with statistical tools to resolve critical business issues. These are recommended for owners or management teams, engineers or technical staff from small to medium-sized companies. Participants should have some knowledge of basic statistics.

Green Belts typically work in teams to implement improvements. Black Belts independently apply more sophisticated tools to guide improvements throughout a business or organization.

Advanced Manufacturing (Lean) Practitioner training focuses on waste removal from production or office processes. It covers principles of lean manufacturing, the 5-S visual workplace, principles of stream mapping, quick changeover/setup reduction and total productive maintenance.

Training will be held in Evansville, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. Course specifics and registration information are available at mep.purdue.edu/events. Displaced professionals seeking to apply for training funds should print course brochures from the website and take them to WorkOne for review.

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center provides technical skills development and implementation services to manufacturers who want to increase productivity and profitability, enhance customer satisfaction, and advance work-force skills. Areas of expertise include advanced manufacturing processes, lean implementation, quality management systems, Six Sigma, green enterprise development and energy efficiency.