Production technician, risk-based management certification programs among new TCIE spring courses

BUFFALO, N.Y. – New professional development courses featuring the Lean methodology, finance for non-finance managers, business writing, risk management and manufacturing are part of the spring line-up at the University at Buffalo’s Center for Industrial Effectiveness (TCIE).

Those seeking to bolster their business skills and improve their company’s performance can choose from more than a dozen offerings. Public training courses provided by TCIE, which links UB’s expert resources to the region’s business community, range from half-day seminars to a 7-month certification program.

Registration is on a first come, first served basis, with the deadline being one week before the respective start date. Course details are as follows:

Certified Production Technician (CPT) - Full Track – 12:30-3:30 p.m. on Jan. 22; Feb. 5, 12, and 26; March 11; April 1, 8 and 22; May 13 and 20; and June 3, 10 and 24 at the UB Educational Opportunity Center, 555 Ellicott St., Buffalo. This 140-hour training course, which is a blend of web-based learning supported by classroom-based mentoring, provides core knowledge and skills required for frontline manufacturing jobs through production modules in safety, quality practices and measurement, manufacturing processes and production, and maintenance awareness. Exam dates are March 1, April 12, May 24 and June 28.

Certified Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Green Belt Transactional - Blended – This blended learning course consists primarily of online education, enhanced by classroom-based and webinar-based discussion and mentoring. It heightens candidates’ problem-solving abilities and engages them in the data-driven, LSS industry-tested system for process variation reduction. While applicable across all disciplines, it was developed with service industry businesses in mind. The schedule is as follows:

• Two-hour webinars: 2-4 p.m. on Jan. 25, Feb. 22 and March 28.
• Classroom dates, at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center, 2402 North Forest Rd., Amherst: 8 a.m.-noon on Feb.  8, March 7 and April 11.
• Three-hour webinars: 1-4 p.m. on May 16, June 13 and July 11.

Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the Ramada. This 8-hour course is designed to improve the problem-solving skills of all employee levels by providing an understanding of the processes and techniques for determining the root cause of a nonconformance and the corrective action needed to prevent the problem from occurring again.

Certified Lean Professional – 6-9 p.m. on Thursdays, Jan. 28 to April 28 (except Feb. 18, March 3 and 24, and April 21), May 12 and 19, and June 9. This 39-hour course is offered at UB’s Baird Research Park, 1576 Sweet Home Rd., Amherst. It introduces participants to the Lean methodology of saving money and reducing waste by identifying unnecessary processes.

Minitab^TM Software – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Jan. 28 at the Ramada. This 8-hour training navigates participants through the statistical tools of Minitab software so that they may comfortably manipulate data and solve problems.

Kaizen and VSM – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Feb. 4 at the Ramada. This 8-hour course explores two Lean tools: Kaizen, an activity aimed at streamlining a select process, and Value Stream Mapping, an analysis tool used to improve the flow of information or materials.

Innovation and Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the Ramada. This 8-hour course introduces a problem-solving method that uses logic, data and the work of others to drive innovation.

5S and Standardized Work – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the Ramada. This 8-hour course explores two Lean tools: 5S, a technique for organizing one’s physical environment, and Standardized Work, a technique for organizing process steps.

Intro to FMEA – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on March 2 at the Ramada. This 8-hour course is recommended for design and manufacturing engineers who are involved in the product development process and want to learn how to avoid potential failures in design.

Effective Business Writing – 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on March 3 and 8:30 a.m.-noon on March 10 at the Ramada. This 10 ½-hour workshop focuses on the writing process and effectively applying it to business and technical work environments. It includes techniques for greater efficiency without compromising the message.

Lean Product Design Workshop – 8 a.m.-noon on March 15 at the Ramada. This 4-hour workshop engages participants in a hands-on simulation to discover how applying the Lean methodology to product design decreases cycle time.

Finance for Non-Financial Managers – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on March 16 at the Ramada. This 8-hour course is for the manager who lacks significant financial background. It familiarizes participants with common financial measures, their applications, and their effect on the bottom line and enterprise evaluation.

Certified Risk-Based Quality Manager – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesdays, April 5 to May 3 at the Ramada. This 40-hour course prepares participants to integrate an Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework aimed at managing business uncertainties, and which aligns with the new ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Standards.

Intro to Document Control – 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on April 19 at the Ramada. This 8-hour course explores characteristics of effective instructional documentation (such as procedures, work instructions and standard operating procedures) and the process of document control.

Additionally, a shortened version of the CPT Full Track is available beginning in January. The 70-hour CPT Fast Track is web-based and intended for production workers who desire additional skills. Sessions begin at the start of every month. TCIE also provides access to the four core CPT module assessments for those seeking credentials. Enrollment for both the CPT Fast Track and assessments is continuously open.

Course details and registration are available at http://www.tcie.buffalo.edu/what-we-do/professional-development/. For more information, contact Mariah Glass, UB TCIE training program coordinator, at 716-645-8840 or mariahgl@buffalo.edu.

UB TCIE is Western New York's bridge to excellence; it provides a dynamic link between UB’s expert resources and the region’s business community. Its core focus on engineering solutions and operational excellence drives continual improvements, and ignites innovation and technological advantages. For more information on how TCIE can assist Western New York businesses, visit www.tcie.buffalo.edu or call 716-645-8800.