NEXUS NEWS
5 Steps to Earn a Lean Manufacturing Certificate
May 24, 2022
by Cj Pettus
You’re ready to take charge and improve your manufacturing processes, so you’ve decided to earn a Lean Manufacturing certificate from the University of Michigan. What can you expect from this experience?
1. REGISTER FOR THE COURSE
Visit the Lean Manufacturing certificate course webpage and review the upcoming course dates. Next to the course dates, the offering is designated as Maize or Blue. This refers to the content of the second week of the course. Week 2 Maize covers Lean methods and implementation, while Week 2 Blue covers complementary Lean tools and practice. Select the course offering and dates that work best for you.
Check out available discounts before you register. Did you know that if you attend a course with 3 or more coworkers, you all are eligible for a discount?
2. PREPARE FOR THE COURSE
If you attend an in-person course, you can book a hotel near the Nexus facilities. The program manager will send you information about the course within 2 weeks of the course start.
If you attend a remote-live course, your program manager will send you information about the course and prepare you for the remote-live format prior to the start date.
3. LEARN THE ESSENTIALS
In week 1 of the Lean Manufacturing certificate course, you will join others in the manufacturing industry to learn the essentials. The instructors will share an overview of Lean Manufacturing and teach about value stream mapping, design of pull systems, cell analysis and design, and implementing Kaizen events.
4. DIVE DEEPER
Several weeks later, you and your Lean Manufacturing certificate course cohort will return to class for the second week.
Week 2 Maize participants will learn about Lean methods and implementation. You will learn about the physics of Lean, integrating Lean and Six Sigma, a factory layout for Lean Manufacturing, and how to lead the change to Lean.
Week 2 Blue participants will learn about complementary Lean tools and practice. You will learn about Lean Rapid Plant Assessment, implementing standardized work, accounting and measurement, material handling, and Lean change management.
5. APPLY YOUR NEW KNOWLEDGE
After completing two weeks of the course and earning your Lean Manufacturing certificate, you’re now ready to implement what you’ve learned. Take your new tools and knowledge with you back to your organization and get started!
BONUS: CONSIDER BECOMING A MASTER
Once you’ve gotten into your Lean workflow, you may realize that you want to learn even more. You then have an opportunity to earn your Lean Manufacturing Master Certificate. To do so, you must complete the Week 2 (Maize or Blue) that you have not yet taken within two years of completing your original certificate.