Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt: Why you should get yours

KALAMAZOO, MI—Tom Kelly, Western Michigan University's director of the Center for Supply Chain, is providing students with a valuable opportunity. Through the Haworth College of Business, Kelly has held many workshops for Lean Six Sigma, a process improvement approach commonly used in the workplace. Kelly most recently held a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt session where several WMU Haworth students achieved their Yellow Belt status.

The training earns students an entry-level certificate in process improvement. The workshop consisted of in-class value stream mapping projects, a process improvement project, end of chapter quizzes, and lastly a final certification exam. The training is becoming a key way of helping students stand out in the workplace. 

“We are seeing more and more companies looking to ‘continuous improvement’ to help improve their bottom line,” says Kelly. “With this in mind, we know that students who have Lean Six Sigma knowledge will generate extra value in business. So, to meet the market need, we developed a program that will help students hit the ground running in this field and help organizations continue to be competitive.”

Edward Lewis, of Dexter, Michigan, a junior studying supply chain management at WMU Haworth, completed the March workshop and obtained his Yellow Belt certificate.

“The workshop gave me an opportunity to differentiate myself from my peers and stand out in a competitive job market. The training provided me with a deeper understanding of process improvement methodologies, which are applicable to many areas. Having this certification before graduating will allow for increased credibility, marketability and compensation as I connect with potential employers.”

Completing this training as a student opens up a range of possibilities. Senior supply chain management student, Levi Crooks, of Portage, Michigan, says, “As a student, the workshop gave me a solid foundation in process improvement and principles of Lean Six Sigma. I can apply what I learned to school projects, and it will enhance my problem solving-skills while completing my academic program.”

While obtaining the Yellow Belt may seem intimidating, the outcomes speak for themselves in terms of students’ confidence and skill development. Josh Fatato, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, a junior majoring in supply chain management, says, “The workshop challenged me to think about process improvement which relates to personal and professional development. Overall, the experience exceeded my expectations. Receiving my Yellow Belt was very rewarding, and I would recommend signing up for the workshop if Lean Six Sigma is something of interest to you.”

To learning more about Lean Six Sigma training, contact Tom Kelly.

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