Certification bodies
by Damen Parker on 25th November 2008I am a certified BB. I did my time at Ford (JLR), 2+ projects, sat an exam and received a piece of paper with my name on it telling me I am certified.
Having now left Ford in to an organistion that is very green to six sigma a question I am asked is how do you get certified? I know there are companies out there that offer training and certification but who validates that training or more importantly the company that delivers that training to ascertain if it is worthy of certification?
At JLR I could certify greenbelts. Presumably I am no longer able to certify greenbelts without the Ford/JLR six sigma support structure the corporation offered.
Any thoughts?
Cheers
Damen
Comments
Service Providers
It varies...
Hello Damen,
Unfortunately there is no defined standard for BB certification. Each organisation, be they an end user or training provider, has differing criteria; some are more intense than others. However, from my experience here at onesixsigma in talking to companies, consultants and recruitment specialists, there is an unwritten 'bare minimum' of four weeks training, at least one project and a written exam... from the sounds of it, much like your own training at Ford.
A lot of companies who have a Six Sigma programme now clearly define what they believe constitutes certification, and any BBs they employ who have been trained to a 'lower' standard are required to re-do their certification. I know that Pacific International, our recruitment partners, require all their candidates to pass a Lean Six Sigma assessment before they are prepared to recommend them.
It's not just the fact that you are BB that matters these days, but how you were certified.
Cheers,
Matt
yes
thak you very helper...
Certification
Damen - can I suggest you make contact with the BRitish Quality Foundation(bqf.org.uk) They have been leading a process of setting standards for Lean Six Sigma certification and have an internationally recognised external certification process (for GBs, BBs,MBBS). The key contact is Richard Parker
Hope this helps
Andrew Ruddick
Catalyst Consulting
Thanks
Thanks for your response Matt.
It is interesting then that next year when GB six sigma training programs commence here I will be able to set up my own cert criteria. But until such time that the company is renowned for it's quality or six sigma training the cert will be just a token piece of paper.
What are the general GB cert criteria? I'll base my own on what I am used to at Ford which was a 5 day training course and the lead on at least one GB project or support on a BB project. The projects themselves had to meet certain criteria. In addition there is an informal interview where the GB is asked to demonstrate some of the tools used to show understanding.
Regards
Damen Parker
BE Aerospace (UK)