Course – Alfred Austin Associates – Lean, Six Sigma, Consulting, Training, Project Management

Innovate. Develop. Grow.

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Created at LERC, Cardiff University Business School

Introduction

Cardiff University is a Russel Group University. The Russell Group is a collection of 24 leading UK universities that are known for their research, teaching, and international reputation. Members include Oxford, Cambridge and Warwick Universities
The LCS was launched in 2005 by the Lean Enterprise Research Centre (LERC) at Cardiff University, as a vehicle to help companies and other organisations develop their staffs’ understanding and application of business improvement, change management and Lean Thinking.
The LCS is internationally recognised, and the only university developed lean qualification, offering a global standard in Lean Thinking and Change Management.

Some of the many leading companies that are accredited

Companies are accredited globally

About the Lean Fundamentals 1a course

This course is aligned to Cardiff University’s Lean Competency System (LCS) at level 1a. This is a foundation course. The LCS qualifications framework has seven competency levels, ranging from Level 1a to Level 3b.

There are hands on exercises that enable participants to apply the theory they’ve learned in practice. These skills can be applied to work and study activities.

Certificate: Upon completion, you’ll receive a certificate featuring logos from the Lean Competency System and Cardiff University. Additionally, if needed, your company logo (e.g., ‘Google’ or ‘NHS’) can be included.

Course Duration: The course lasts for approximately two hours. It is taught on a weekday evening.

Exam: All delegates must pass an exam which takes 30 minutes. The pass mark is 65%. The delegate has 5 working days to take the test.

An award ceremony at global marketing company EIMS

UCAS Application

There are multiple benefits for a UCAS applicant to be awarded with the LCS Lean 1a course, including:

Distinguishing Factor Many students apply to universities with similar academic achievements. Completing a specialised training course like the Cardiff University developed LCS Lean 1a sets a student apart from others by demonstrating additional effort to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Enhanced Personal Statement Participating in a recognised training course such as the LCS Lean 1a provides substantial content for a personal statement. Students can describe the course, what they learned, and how they have applied these insights in their studies or personal projects. This concrete example of engagement and learning can make their personal statement more compelling.
Application of Lean Principles The course introduces students to the fundamentals of Lean principles, which focus on efficiency, waste reduction, and continuous improvement. By understanding and applying these principles, students can discuss how they have utilised these techniques in their academic or extracurricular projects, thereby showcasing their problem-solving abilities and innovative thinking on their UCAS application.

Lean 1a and the EPQ

Applying the principles of Lean Competency System (LCS) Lean 1a training course can significantly enhance a student’s Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) mark in several ways:

Structured Problem-Solving: The Lean 1a training emphasises structured problem-solving techniques. This skill is invaluable for the EPQ, as it requires students to identify a problem or question and develop a methodical approach to address it. Using Lean principles, students can demonstrate their ability to tackle complex issues systematically, a key criterion in the EPQ assessment.
Process Improvement Skills: Lean thinking focuses on continuous improvement and process optimisation. Applying these principles to their EPQ projects allows students to show how they have refined their work process, making their research more efficient and effective. This continuous improvement mindset is highly regarded in academic assessments.
Value Stream Mapping: Understanding and identifying value streams helps students to pinpoint which parts of their project add the most value. This focus on value can guide them in prioritising their efforts, ensuring that their EPQ is impactful and well-organised.

Stakeholder Engagement: Lean thinking includes understanding customer and stakeholder value. For an EPQ, this can translate into recognising the needs and interests of the audience or the impact of the project on various stakeholders. This awareness can enhance the relevance and applicability of the project.
Innovation and Creativity: By focusing on continuous improvement and problem-solving, Lean training encourages innovative thinking. This creativity can be applied to the EPQ, helping students to develop unique approaches and solutions that stand out.

Incorporating these Lean principles into their EPQ can help students not only to structure their projects more effectively but also to demonstrate a range of skills and competencies that are highly valued in both academic and professional contexts. This holistic approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement will make their EPQ more rigorous, organised, and impactful, potentially leading to higher marks.