Workforce Development
Business-improvement techniques (B-IT) qualifications complement job-specific vocational qualifications in many work environments, promoting
lean skills and effective teamwork across all levels and types of organisations. Derived from the successful approaches of leading manufacturers
including Toyota, Nissan and Honda, tools such as 5S/5C, Six Sigma and value stream mapping can bring about cost savings and quality
improvements in any process-orientated work environment.
Businesses of all sizes can use the principles of lean enterprise to help eliminate waste, reduce costs and boost productivity. The benefits of
achieving process and quality improvements in the workplace are open to private and public companies across all sectors, including areas such
as commerce and healthcare alongside traditional industry employers.
Our B-IT qualifications are an ideal complement for job-specific qualifications.
They help learners to apply a range of methodologies to achieve
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sustainable advances in working practices.
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We offer qualifications in …
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business-improvements techniques
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workplace improvements
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profit maximisation
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lean enterprise principles.
Qualifications in business-improvement techniques cover Levels 2-4.
Our B-IT qualifications are an ideal complement for job-specific qualifications. They help learners to apply a range of methodologies to achieve
sustainable advances in working practices
Business Improvement Techniques
This qualification is a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) based on the Performing Manufacturing Operations National Occupational Standards
developed by Enginuity, the Sector Skills Council for the science, engineering and manufacturing technologies. The qualification is about
occupational competence and involves the skills and knowledge needed to be able to carry out a range of activities related to a range of
manufacturing operations.
There are no entry qualifications or age limits required by learners to undertake the qualification unless this is a legal requirement of the process
or the environment. Assessment is open to any learner who has the potential to achieve the assessment criteria set out in the qualification.
The qualification has been designed by industry for individuals involved in a manufacturing process whatever the sector. Learners may typically be
responsible for the day-to-day running of equipment and for the quality of work. They are also capable of monitoring and controlling equipment
and quality, and can also exercise some judgement and decision making about the manufacturing process.
Performing Manufacturing Operations
This qualification provides learners with the core knowledge, understanding and behaviours required for a range of manufacturing related
occupational roles. It takes a hands-on approach to training by providing the learner with:
• Core knowledge and understanding of a range of occupational roles from across the manufacturing sector.
• Core behaviours that will ensure success in their role and help them to achieve their potential.
• A wide range of core knowledge and behaviours that can be transferred across the manufacturing sector.
Further details supporting the requirements for the qualification can be found here:
https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/lean-manufacturing-operative/
The qualification will provide progression onto other suitable and appropriate Level 3 and Level 4 manufacturing qualifications
Manufacturing
The main objective of this course is to provide the knowledge and application of Kaizen/Continuous Improvement, and the application of the 7 quality/problem solving tools used to define, analyse and identify ‘Root cause’. The course covers the never-ending synchronisation with the
customer – synchronisation of Quality, Cost (eliminate waste) and Delivery (reduced lead-time, on time delivery) using the CAPD cycle,
and the never-ending quest to identify problems and put in place solutions – Identify gaps between desired manufacturing state and
present manufacturing settings using the PDCA cycle.
Kaizen & Problem Solving
The ‘Corner Stone’ for all continuous activities, Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) are used to establish best methods for all activities affecting
QCD. This course will provide you with knowledge for the theory behind and practical tips for implementing Standard Operating Procedures.
Including, understanding what a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is, understanding the value of SOP’s, assessments and training
matrices – and understanding how to write all three documents.
Standard Operations and Skill Control
Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is a technique that provides a visual representation of a procedure and is used to analyse the flow of material and
information required to bring a product or service to a customer. This course will focus on the ‘door-to-door’ production flow within your plant,
and will show you how; to identify the flow of material and information, select product families, draw current and future state maps, and achieve
the future stat. Following the course, you are encouraged to complete a Value Stream Mapping work-based assignment.
Value Stream Mapping
The main objective of this course is to demonstrate the importance of levelling workload across operations. Using a simulated assembly line to manufacture miniature ‘motorbikes & sidecars’, you will learn how to; define and calculate TAKT time, define and determine Job or work allocation, explain the difference between TAKT and Cycle time, calculate and suggest improvements in operator utilisation, and carry out line balancing activity to achieve TAKT.
Line Balancing
SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Dies) is a systematic approach to reducing machine set-up and change over times, this lean technique can dramatically shorten set-up time from hours to minutes. This course provides you with tools and techniques to bring about systematic set up reduction in your business by; Providing a method for identifying waste within your machine areas and set-up operations, highlighting non-value adding waste by mapping out the set-up/change over process, and helping you to differentiate between internal & external set-up time