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Final Paper
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The benefits of applying Lean and/or Six Sigma principles in manufacturing and service industries are well-documented. Organizations spend considerable amounts of money delivering on-the-job training in Lean and/or Six Sigma tools and techniques. Increasingly, employers list Lean or Six Sigma certification as a desirable attribute for engineering or management positions. At one time, there were a limited number of organizations or institutions that offered quality- related certifications. However, current Google searches indicate the number of organizations is growing exponentially. This is mainly due to the increasing awareness of the value of Lean Six Sigma as a process improvement methodology. At our institution, upper-class engineering students who are actively involved in job searches are questioning the value of obtaining Lean or Six Sigma certifications during, or soon after, graduation. In this paper we discuss the development of a mini-curriculum in which we present advice we have given our students with respect to the relative value of existing certification opportunities. We discuss the variety of certification opportunities available, including the experience requirements, the time commitment, and the cost. The curriculum also includes data from our alumni and employer surveys. In addition, we emphasize the need for career planning and instruct students on the value of choosing internships and senior design projects that offer exposure to Six Sigma and Lean methodologies.
Author(s):
Joan Burtner
Industrial Engineering and Industrial Management
Mercer University
United States
Melinda Hollingshed
Industrial Engineering and Industrial Management
Mercer University
United States
Shelia Barnett
Warner Robins Air Force Base
United States