Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt and Green Belt Training for High School Students

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is a team-based, problem-solving methodology used by millions of businesses and organizations worldwide. Lean Six Sigma follows a structured approach called DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) in a path toward solutions and gains, commonly in the form of reduced waste or improved quality.

In Ohio, Yellow Belt Certification counts as 3 points and Green Belt Certification counts as 6 points of the 12 points needed for the industry credential pathway towards graduation. This program contains a total of 9 points out of the 12 needed for graduation. We can equip your district to offer a credential that is valid for all industry pathways. Also, our Yellow Belt and Green Belt certification is cross-referenced with the Ohio Means Jobs Readiness Seal and meets all of the requirements a student needs. Beyond student application, Lean Six Sigma can and has been used for improved quality and reduced waste in a school system as an organization.

LSS is widely embraced by both service and manufacturing industries. By equipping students with this skill, they have a distinct advantage in the workplace. Students learn a structured problem solving methodology that can be applied both personally and professionally. Additionally, students gain confidence by being part of a team that is improving the lives of either internal or external customers.

Yellow Belt: Yellow Belt or Problem Solving for Team Members. You will develop the skills necessary to be an effective team member when using the DMAIC methodology. You and your team will learn the following: Project Charter, SIPOC, Metrics, Run Charts, Goal Setting, Fishbone Diagrams, Flow Charts, Team Dynamics, Brainstorming, Prioritization Matrix, Checking Results, Lessons Learned, and Standardization.

Yellow Belt Certification is a required prerequisite for taking the Green Belt course and consists of 8 total in-class training hours, 10+ hours of coaching and an individual-based Lean Six Sigma project. It is worth 3 points towards an Industry Credential Graduation.

Green Belt: Green Belt or Problem Solving for Team Leaders. You will develop the skills necessary to be an effective team leader when using the DMAIC methodology. You and your team will learn the following: Voice of the Customer, Affinity Diagrams, Leading Meetings, Types of Data, Understanding Variation, Data Collection, Hierarchy of Needs, Team Norms, Value Stream Analysis, Scatter Plot Diagrams, Mistake Proofing, 5S, Management Presentations, Visual Controls, and Change Management. Your team must complete, submit for review, and receive project results and approval to become a certified Green Belt. It is worth 6 points toward an Industry Credential Graduation.

Everyone within the organization benefits from learning this methodology and applying it to their workplace. For example, Graham Local School District’s staff improvement project was reducing unnecessary paper consumption. After completing the process, the solution for just this project saved the district $30,000 annually. Another team’s project was reducing the number of interrupted days during instructional time. They began with 82% of days interrupted and reduced it to 45%.

Staff participation in this process not only helps the district, but also improves job satisfaction and student support. Yellow Belt and Green Belt Certification is the prerequisite for the Train-the-Trainer session and consists of 24 total in-class training hours and a team-based Lean Six Sigma project.

Participants work together on problem-solving projects for your district and then a portion of the participants move on to become designated trainers for your district’s students. We meet with you prior to the training to assist with scoping of the project for the Yellow Belt and Green Belt course, the selection of trainers, and the functional structure of a districtwide rollout. Our training courses are designed to produce real results and teams are expected to come prepared to work on actual projects…not theoretical exercises.

During the session, your team will learn the tools and techniques described in the Yellow and Green Belt descriptions above. This is the same training that we used with scientists at P&G and the Air Force as well as the employees at Abercrombie & Fitch and Limited Brands. This is also the same training that was provided to juniors and seniors at Graham High School in Urbana, OH.

You, your colleagues and your district will benefit from the results of these projects (which could provide a significant return-on-investment) and the availability of a world-class credential for your students. In the past three years alone, multiple Maximum Potential, Inc. district clients have achieved over a 300% ROI.

Once your team completes, submits for review, and has an approved project, the entire team will be awarded Green Belt Certification (a prerequisite for the Train-the-Trainer session).

During the Yellow and Green Belt staff training process, a number of participants are typically designated as future trainers. Employees selected from this group of Certified  Green Belts then go on to attend a Train-the-Trainer session. They will then be observed by the Master Black Belt as they co-teach for certification and demonstration of knowledge.

The Train-the-Trainer process and a material license enables the school to move towards being self-sufficient. For example, Graham Local School District is now teaching Yellow Belt and Green Belt in a semester-long class that occurs daily for 45 minutes.

We will equip your trainers with the tools they need to lead Yellow and Green Belt sessions in your district.

Your trainers will have access to a training membership site with instructional videos, audio, a trainer guide, and a community of certified trainers. Once certified, we will provide your trainers with individual, web-based coaching and a periodic web-based improvement webinar (live or prerecorded). Once the Train-the-Trainer course is complete, your trainers will be certified as an Education Lean Six Sigma Black Belts and Certified Trainers.

That’s the beauty of this design. Our team starts with the ultimate goal of working ourselves out of a job. Our system offers Train-the-Trainer and two years of coaching calls to support your district. You will also have the tools and web portal that come with the annual material license. We will have periodic “Trainer Webinars” and will field support questions in a community/knowledge base that can be accessed by all trainers and school districts as part of the annual license fee.

To participate in the training and train-the-trainer process, your district needs to purchase a material license for the participant manuals. Once you have purchased the annual material license and have a certified trainer in your district, your district will have the right to unlimited printing for your students and staff. Licensed materials can also be customized (slides added to the Maximum Potential deck) for your district by using examples from your Green Belt projects to resonate with your students.

This is not a “one time deal,” one session, or one group of students. Your school district develops the culture and capacity to develop a generation of problem solvers. You can offer the credentials to your students indefinitely, simply by maintaining the relationship with Maximum Potential.

There is no limit or maximum. Your district can offer these credentials to as many high school students as it chooses.

Your teachers, with a MaxPT Lean Six Sigma Education Black Belt and in partnership with Maximum Potential, Inc., can offer your students these credentials within your district’s classrooms and buildings.

Our curriculum is broken down into 45 minute segments to fit the typical bell schedule of a high school. The training for both credentials takes about one semester.