Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology has commenced its new Six Sigma course with a group of employees from local companies including Boston Scientific, Creganna, and Celestica.
Six Sigma is a quality improvement tool adapted and utilised by Motorola to bring about significant improvements in process management and product development. It has since been adopted by manufacturing and services companies as a very successful way of driving continuous improvement, leading to higher quality and reduced waste.
The GMIT Six Sigma course is run as two accredited modules from the GMIT Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in partnership with GMIT’s Lifelong Learning Centre at the Dublin Road campus. The course is delivered over one academic year, one evening per week.
“The course includes Six Sigma Quality 1 and Six Sigma Quality 2 which combined are equal to 10 credits,” said GMIT lifelong learning co-ordinator Peter Butler. “Course participants are eligible to sit the American Society of Quality (ASQ ) Green Belt Exam in GMIT at the end of the course. GMIT is one of the few approved exam centres in Ireland offering the popular ASQ Green Belt Exam.”
Commenting on the first running of this course, Gerard MacMichael, head of the School of Engineering, said: “GMIT has a long history of working with professional bodies in Ireland offering courses that meet HETAC standards while providing professional qualifications. This new offering will enable those who undertake this intensive programme to enhance or find employment in the key sectors of manufacturing and service operations.”
GMIT is dedicated to introducing flexible, part-time, modes of delivery to increase the opportunities for upskilling by the workforce and most especially in areas which can increase industrial and commercial competitiveness.
The next GMIT Six Sigma course commences in September 2011. Full details will be uploaded on www.gmit.ie shortly under Lifelong Learning, Galway. For further information contact Peter Butler, Lifelong Learning Centre co-ordinator, at (091 ) 742270, email [email protected]
