Lean Awareness

Standard course duration: 2 hours

This course presents a basic overview – the “what” and the “why”- of a Lean Logistics initiative and defines roles of employees in its successful implementation. It provides information that everyone needs – the “how” in order to participate in a Lean transformation. It shows how each employee – the “who” – can become a valued member of the company’s “Lean” team. It also shows how everyone’s knowledge, support, and participation are essential to the success of this major company-wide effort.

Upon completion of this course participants will have learned the importance of Lean transformation and its effect on company operations and their jobs. They will be able to determine how their job functions and responsibilities affect a Lean Logistics initiative and how to become a valued member of the company’s “Lean” team.

Dealing with Change

Standard course duration: 2 hours

Change is a constant in the business world; but for many employees it is difficult, disruptive to their work lives and even counterproductive.

The objective of this course is to provide participants with a different perspective – that of “change is opportunity”. By understanding the objectives or goals of change and the steps necessary to make the change, employees can better understand the positive impacts that will result from their new methods, roles, responsibilities, etc. Participants are challenged to look at the bigger picture in order to understand both the benefits of change and their role in successful change.

The course involves participants in a series of exercises designed to have them see both sides of personal experiences, turn what appear to be negative aspects of change into positives, and then apply that approach to their current situation. Participants also learn the value of measurement in both assuring action and tracking progress toward change goals.

Upon completion of the course, participants will have learned to see the positives associated with change and how to align themselves, their goals and their actions for success.

Identifying and Eliminating Waste (IACET CEU)

Standard course duration: 8 hours

The Lean Logistics philosophy focuses on the identification of waste in its 7 deadly forms followed by investigating to determine root cause and then either eliminating or greatly reducing the waste. The prevention of waste involves the design and continuous improvement of the product delivery processes. This Lean Logistics transformation is based on continuous performance improvement efforts of all employees. The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding of waste and its impact on company performance and then learn a practical approach to discover, eliminate, and prevent waste.

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:

• Explain why waste needs to be addressed
• Define the basic concepts related to Lean Logistics operations
• Identify waste in their workplace
• Distinguish root causes associated with waste

In order to obtain the .7 CEUs for this course, participants must complete the following:

• 80% attendance of course sessions demonstrated via the sign-in sheet
• 70% on the post-course assessment

Identifying and Eliminating Office Waste

Standard course duration: 8 hours

A Lean initiative in the Office focuses on the identification of waste in its 7 deadly forms followed by investigating to determine root cause and then either eliminating or greatly reducing the waste. The prevention of waste involves the design and continuous improvement of company business processes. This lean initiative is based on continuous performance improvement efforts of all employees. The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding of waste and its impact on company performance and then learn a practical approach to discover, eliminate, and prevent waste.

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:

• Explain why waste needs to be addressed
• Define the basic concepts related to lean office processes and procedures
• Identify waste in their workplace
• Distinguish root causes associated with waste

Workplace Organization & 5S (IACET CEU)

Standard course duration: 8-24 hours

This course teaches participants five basic principles that form the foundation of the 5S System, a powerful front-line tool and a common starting point for simplifying work processes of a warehouse or distribution facility, improving equipment maintenance, ensuring safety and product quality, and eliminating waste. Course topics begin with the pillars of 5S – Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain: Introduction to the 5 Pillars. Each is defined, requirements and implementation are discussed and then a practical workplace activity reinforces the concepts taught. As a sixth S, the course also teaches how to identify safety problems and their root causes in order to eliminate dangerous workplace conditions before accidents happen.

Upon completion of this course participants will have learned and experienced how apply the 5S pillars to their workplace and to foster an environment of continuous improvement on the warehouse or distribution facility floor.

In order to obtain the .7 CEUs for this course, participants must complete the following:

• 80% attendance of course sessions demonstrated via the sign-in sheet
• 70% on the post-course assessment

Teamwork for Results – Standard

Standard course duration: 8 hours

This course teaches the advantages of a team-based approach and how to be a good team member. It includes the practical rules of teamwork and their application in participants’ daily work. It also teaches the team development stages that can be expected as teams form and learn to be effective. Participants learn the importance of communication to define and meet the specific work requirements of internal suppliers and internal customers and where to establish control points to assure that requirements are met, all as keys to achieving performance results.

Upon completion of this course participants will have an understanding what it takes to function as a high performance team and their role in their team(s). One of the most important purposes of this course is to help participants become more successful at achieving performance results in a team environment.

Teamwork in a Project Environment

Standard course duration: 8 hours

This course teaches the advantages of a team-based approach and how to be a good team member. It includes the practical rules of teamwork and their application in participants’ daily work. It also teaches the team development stages that can be expected as teams form and learn to be effective. Participants learn the importance of prioritization and the big picture perspective in a project environment where multiple projects compete for resources and employees may be on multiple teams. Internal supplier-customers relationships and requirements are discussed in the context of differentiating urgent from important in meeting project timelines.

Upon completion of this course participants will have an understanding what it takes to function as a high-performance team and their role in their team(s). One of the most important purposes of this course is to help participants become more successful at achieving performance results in a matrixed project environment.

Lean 5M – Team-Based Problem Solving

Standard course duration: 8 hours

Lean 5M is a straightforward team-based method of Lean Logistics that addresses five components of a distribution process (Man, Machine, Material, Method, and Measurement). The 5M method is commonly used in identifying and eliminating waste in a broad range of work areas.

The course teaches participants the 5M method in a teamwork environment using various problem-solving tools. Participants will learn 5M definitions, how 5M affects their work, how to develop a 5M root-cause (fishbone) diagram, and how to identify and eliminate waste by using the 5M diagram and effective problem-solving tools, such as Brainstorming, Check Sheet, and 5-Whys. They will also learn how to work as a team and improve their work by understanding output requirements of their work to properly satisfy input requirements of their internal customers within the 5M methodology.

Upon completion of the course, participants will have learned the team-based problem-solving methodology of 5M and its application to their daily work.

Kaizen Workshop

Standard course duration: 8-24 hours

This course teaches a team-based approach to continuous improvement. It builds on the foundation blocks of teamwork and problem solving. It teaches the Japan-originated Kaizen approach as an effective way of introducing rapid change into an organization by utilizing the ideas and motivation of the people who do the work. It presents the philosophy of kaizen as the starting place for all lean improvements. This course takes participants through the critical steps in conducting an effective kaizen event-one that is well planned, well implemented, and well documented. It follows a “learn and do” approach.

Upon completion of this course participants will have applied continuous improvement and problem solving skills to an opportunity from their company’s operating environment. One of the most important purposes of this course is to help participants become more successful at problem solving in a team environment. Participants will be able to apply learned skills in their daily work and participate actively on cross-functional teams and kaizen events in selected areas.

Fundamentals of Warehousing and Materials Handling

Standard course duration: 8-16 hours

This course, directed at the warehouse workforce, looks at warehousing from three perspectives. First, the basic terms and concepts of warehousing and material handling are presented and discussed as they apply to the participants’ environment. The focus then shifts to warehousing and material handling safety requirements, safe practices and areas for improvement. Finally, participants are engaged in review of best warehousing practices, analysis of their activities/operations, and identification of improvement opportunities.

Upon completion of this course participants will have significantly improved their knowledge of the functions that they perform, the safety requirements of the activities and the environment, and they will have practical experience in applying continuous improvement principles to their situations.

Fundamentals of Workplace Safety

Standard course duration: 8-16 hours

This course, targeted at front-line employees, presents safety concepts starting with the employer and employee responsibilities for safe behavior and safe conditions, and the need for active involvement in achieving and sustaining a safe work environment. The course then covers PPE, preventing slips, trips and falls, lifting techniques, first aid and bloodborne pathogens, Hazcom – the right to know, fire prevention, and lockout-tagout. More in-depth client workplace-specific topics are selected to complete the course.

This course can cover the following safety areas:

  • Fundamentals – the basic course – 4 hours
  • Slips, Trips, and Falls – 2 hours
  • Material Handling – 2 hours
  • Machine Guarding – 3 hours
  • Electrical Safety – 3 hours
  • Confined Spaces – 2 hours
  • Forklift Safety – 2 hours
  • Chemical Spill Safety – 2 hours
  • Welding, Cutting and Brazing – 2 hours
  • Safety Audit Workshop – 2 hours

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to comply with safety rules and recognize unsafe behaviors and conditions and either remedy them or make them known.

Basic Skills

On the Job English for Non-English Speaking Employees

Standard course duration: 40 hours

This course is designed for people who need to speak better English related to their jobs in order to better understand and be understood in their workplace. This course teaches participants English words and their definitions according to participants’ job responsibilities.

Upon completion of this course participants will increase their ability in speaking English for specific terminology; better understand and communicate work related situations, better follow instructions given in English; as well as to increase their confidence and motivation.

Workplace Math

Standard course duration: 8 hours

An overview of basic math skills provides the foundation of arithmetic, mathematics and measurements used in common business and industry practices and their application to participants’ day-to-day work.

Participants will learn to:

  • Add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
  • Measure lengths and distances.
  • Calculate areas, volumes, and weights.
  • Measure temperature in Fahrenheit and Centigrade, convert from one system to the other, and select the appropriate type of thermometer to be used at given temperatures.
  • Perform the basic arithmetic operations with signed numbers and signed terms, and transform and solve an equation.

Upon completion of this course, participants will acquire the basic math skills to effectively perform their job functions. This course could be customized to accomplish company’s specific training requirements.