Lean and Operational Excellence Yellow Belt

Certificate

Course Details

Course Code	SG_EYELL_S07
Level	7
Duration	1 semester (14 weeks)
Credits	5
Method of Delivery	Online
Campus Locations	Sligo
Mode of Delivery	Part Time

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Lean and Operational Excellence Yellow Belt

Apply Now How to Apply

Course Overview

This programme is being utilised by several of Ireland’s leading employers to upskill their workforce using ATU Sligo’s award-winning ‘anytime – anywhere’ online learning system. The course includes weekly live interactive sessions with your lecturer(s). All lectures are also recorded for later viewing and revision purposes. Note: If you are an employer planning to enrol a group of your employees on this programme, please get in contact with us (admissions.sligo@atu.ie) for any assistance required.

The Lean & OpEx Yellow Belt certificate course is primarily aimed at those working in a modern manufacturing or service environment who wish to expand their knowledge in the principles of Lean methodologies and Operational Excellence tools. Participants on this course are also given free access to Minitab Workspace during their course of study at ATU Sligo. Minitab Workspace contains powerful visual tools, process maps, brainstorming diagrams and forms in one intuitive interface that will be utilised throughout the course. The Lean tools are a key component and enabler of Operational Excellence where problem-solving, teamwork and leadership result in continuous improvement in the workplace. Although originating in manufacturing, the Lean Tools and Techniques are also being used in healthcare, finance and service sectors, where benefits have been achieved in productivity, efficiency, and cost reduction.

The course is aimed at all levels within the organisation, including operators, administrators, technicians, engineers, supervisors and managers. The course is offered over 1 semester (14 weeks). All the course materials and assessments are delivered online with one lecture per week. The lectures are also recorded, so you can watch them anytime at your own convenience.

Key Course Information

During this course, the learner will study the application of Lean and Operational Excellence (OpEx) principles, including the Shingo model for operational excellence.

Employer Funded Applicants

Where employers enrol employees on the Yellow Belt programme, employers will share employee names, email addresses and any other information relating to eligibility, as required, with ATU. ATU will share the registration status of employees with the employer who has enrolled them, on request, and the completion status of such employees, on request, in line with a data sharing agreement.

Course Details

Year 1

Semester	Module Details	Credits	Mandatory / Elective
1	Lean & Operational Excellence (OpEx) During this course, we will study the application of Lean and Operational Excellence (OpEx) principles, including the Shingo model for operational excellence. Lean is widely considered to originate from the world-class manufacturing techniques of the Japanese auto industry and in particular the Toyota Production System (TPS). Lean and OpEx been embraced by leading global companies in the manufacturing and service sectors and are now the foremost process improvement approach for organisations that wish to attain world-class performance in quality and customer satisfaction by eliminating 'waste' in their processes. In Lean terms 'waste' refers to anything that does not add value to the product or service in the eyes of the customer. The Lean tools are a key component and enabler of Operational Excellence where problem-solving, teamwork and leadership results in continuous improvement in the workplace. Although originating in manufacturing, the Lean tools and techniques are also being used in healthcare, banking and government sectors where benefits have been achieved in productivity, efficiency, and cost reduction. Learning Outcomes 1. Describe the key principles of Lean and Operational Excellence (OpEx) and how theycan be used to drive continuous improvement and competitive advantage in an organisation. e.g. Lean transformation, Strategy deployment. 2. Recognise the potential sources of waste in a process and identify the appropriate Lean tool(s) to measureand reduce/eliminate that waste. e.g. Leader Standard Work (LSW), Audits, Gemba waste elimination walks. 3. Demonstrate the application of typical Lean tools such as Value Stream Mapping,SMED, Error Proofing, 5S, Visual Management, TPM, Kaizen Events, in creating a continuous flow. 4. Identify and use the appropriate metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)to improve process performance in terms of quality, throughput, productivity and cost. e.g. Yield, Lead time, Cycle time, Downtime and Efficiency. 5. Demonstrate the use of problem-solving tools such as 5-Whys, Brainstorming, Cause & Effect (Fishbone)andA3sheets in Root Cause Analysis (RCA).	05	Mandatory

Recommended Study Hours per week

Students should expect to attend 1-1.5 hours of lectures per week. It is also recommended that students allow for 3-5 hours of independent study per week.

Examination and Assessment

100% Online Assessment. This includes continuous assessment and final online exam.

On-Campus Attendance Requirement

No attendance required.
Note: Check programme Examination and Assessment requirements, as they may involve examinations to be taken on campus.

Progression

By completing the Lean & OpEx Yellow Belt, you may wish to progress to a Certificate in Lean Sigma Green Belt award from ATU Sligo by completing an additional two modules – one of which is a work-based project. The Green Belt course includes the Lean & OpEx module from the Yellow Belt course so you can apply for an exemption from the Lean & OpEx module. Once the exemption is granted, you would then need to complete the Six Sigma 1 module and a Project to obtain your Green Belt.

Lean & OpEx – you will complete this as part of this Yellow Belt course

Six Sigma 1 – Introduction to Lean Sigma Quality (runs from September – December each year)

Six Sigma 3 – Project (runs from October – May each year)

ATU Sligo also offers a Certificate in Advanced Lean Six Sigma Black Belt award. Both of these courses are offered in an online mode.

Download a prospectus

Undergraduate Prospectus Online, Flexible & Professional Development Prospectus

Entry Requirements

It is recommended that applicants have a Leaving Certificate or equivalent. A good understanding of English language, literacy, numeracy and computer skills are required to be successful on this course.

If you are concerned about your Maths ability, ATU Sligo now provide access to a free Mathematics Support Centre to all students. Here you can book online tutorials with our Maths tutors to review any queries you may have with the maths in your programme of study. Further details Maths & Engineering Support Centre

Employer Funded Applicants

Where employers enrol employees on the Yellow Belt or Green Belt programmes, employers will share employee names, email addresses and any other information relating to eligibility, as required, with ATU. ATU will share the registration status of employees with the employer who has enrolled them, on request, and the completion status of such employees, on request, in line with a data sharing agreement.

Minimum PC requirements to use the Minitab Workspace software on this programme.

Operating System: Windows 10 or Windows 11
RAM*: 64-bit systems: 4 GB of memory or more recommended
Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD Athlon™ Dual Core, with SSE2 technology
Hard Disk Space: 2 GB (minimum) free space available
Note: Minitab do not provide a version of this software for the Apple Mac.

Fees

Total Fees EU: €325

*Subject to Governing Body approval for 2025/26

Further information on fees

Careers

A growing number of organisations in manufacturing, medical device, pharmaceutical, food, healthcare, finance and the service sectors are looking to fill a wide variety of positions with candidates who are adept at applying the principles of Lean, Operational Excellence (OpEx) and Six Sigma.Obtaining your Lean OpEx Yellow Belt is the first step on your journey. After completing the Yellow Belt, you can progress onto a Green Belt award. There are a number of career paths available, as the Lean, OpEx and Six Sigma tools are very effective in improving business processes in a variety of different industries and sectors.

Further Information

Who Should Apply?

The course is aimed at all levels within the organisation including operators, administrators, technicians, engineers, supervisors and managers. This programme is being utilised by several of Ireland’s leading employers to upskill their workforce in Lean & OpEx.