Certificate in Lean Sigma Quality (Six Sigma Green Belt) (Online)

Course Summary

Enrol in Ireland's largest QQI accredited online Green Belt programme. The ATU Sligo Lean Sigma Green Belt provides participants with enhanced problem-solving skills, using the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control) model. This course will show you how to reduce cost, increase quality, improve speed and make processes more effective and efficient in your organisation. This Green Belt course covers the use of statistical, analytical and operational improvement tools to improve processes using a structured problem-solving methodology. Successful candidates will receive a QQI accredited Level 7 Certificate in Lean Sigma Quality from ATU Sligo.

Through practical examples and exercises, learners will become proficient in the use of the problem-solving techniques used to monitor and control processes. This ‘learning by doing’ approach also allows for better integration of the tools into the participant’s workplace.

Ten reasons to enrol on the ATU Sligo Green Belt course.

1. Ireland’s largest online QQI accredited Green Belt programme offers weekly live interactive lectures and regular Q&A sessions with your lecturer.
2. Study anytime, anywhere. The course is delivered 100% online with 24/7 access to your course materials and recorded lectures. 
3. Accredited by Quality Qualifications Ireland (QQI) – 15 credits at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
4. Delivered by Irish National Teaching Expert award-winning lecturers with industry experience. The ATU Sligo lecturers have delivered online Lean Six Sigma courses to over 20,000 participants in 75 countries worldwide.
5. Course content includes industry examples from medical devices, pharma, food, manufacturing, healthcare and the service sectors.
6. Over 250 practice questions and online quizzes are included in the course to assist you with your learning and knowledge retention.
7. The course includes Minitab – the statistical and process improvement software used by many leading employers.  You will be provided with free access to Minitab software during your course of study at ATU Sligo. 
8. Participants undertake a work-based project to allow the use of the Lean Six Sigma tools in their workplace. An ATU Sligo supervisor is assigned to each student to support them during the project. (A simulated project option is available for those unable to complete a work-based project.)
9. The typical cost savings to the organisation from each Green Belt project is a minimum of €15K (annualised). 
10. Internationally recognised – as our syllabus covers both the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and the Quality America Body of Knowledge (BOK), an additional external certification is also an option.(* Please see note below.) 

* Note: If you are planning to also take the exam for ASQ/Quality America certification, you must take both the Six Sigma 1 and Six Sigma 2 modules to cover the necessary statistics on the ASQ Green Belt Body of Knowledge (BOK). The Six Sigma 2 module is taken as an elective in place of the Lean & OpEx module and runs from January - May each year.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for CAO courses at ATU Sligo are available for download below:

• Download Entry requirements for just Level 7 programmes
• Download Entry requirements for all programmes

You may apply directly for this Green Belt course.  As the Green Belt course covers the course content on the Yellow Belt course, you do not have to complete the Yellow Belt before enrolling onto this Green Belt course.

Applicants are expected to have passed the Leaving Certificate or equivalent in maths due to the statistics covered in the course syllabus. Please upload a current CV when you are completing your online application. 

Employer Funded Applicants
Where employers enrol employees on the Six Sigma Green Belt programme, employers will share employee names, email addresses and any other information relating to eligibility, as required, with ATU.  ATU will share the registration status of employees with the employer who has enrolled them, on request, and the completion status of such employees, on request, in line with a data sharing agreement.

For applicants that have completed the ATU Sligo Lean & OpEx Yellow Belt

If you have already completed the ATU Sligo Lean & OpEx Yellow Belt, you may wish to progress to this Green Belt award by completing an additional two modules. The three modules required to complete your Green Belt are as follows:

1. Lean & OpEx - you can apply for an exemption if you have previously completed this module as part of your ATU Sligo Yellow Belt
2. Six Sigma 1 - Introduction to Lean Sigma Quality (runs from September - December each year)
3. Six Sigma  3 - Project (runs from November - May each year)

Maths Support Centre

If you are concerned about your maths ability, ATU Sligo now provide access to a free Mathematics Support Centre to all students. Here you can book online tutorials with our Maths tutors to review any queries you may have with the maths in your programme of study. Further details https://www.itsligo.ie/student-hub/maths-support-centre/

A good understanding of English language, literacy, numeracy and computer skills are required to be successful on this course.

Minimum PC requirements to use the Minitab statistical software on this programme (Windows only).

• Operating System: Windows 10
• Browser: Current version or previous major release of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox - Chrome is recommended
• RAM*: 64-bit systems: 4 GB of memory or more recommended
• Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD Athlon™ Dual Core, with SSE2 technology
• Hard Disk Space:  2 GB (minimum) free space available
• Screen Resolution: 1024 x 768 or higher
• Connectivity: An internet connection is required for activation of the Minitab license

Note: Minitab Desktop software is a Windows only application and will not run on an Apple Mac.  A Minitab statistical software Web app is available for Apple Mac users but it does not contain all the features of the Minitab Statistical Desktop software. It is recommended that you have access to a Windows PC to run the Minitab statistical software. Google Chrome or Safari are the recommended browsers.

Note that Minitab Workspace software only runs on a Windows PC and is used on the Lean & OpEx module.

Career Opportunities

As Ireland's largest provider of QQI accredited Lean, Operational Excellence and Six Sigma training, this ATU Sligo Green Belt certification is in great demand by employers across all sectors in the manufacturing, medical device, pharmaceutical, food, healthcare, finance and the service sectors. Search under 'Green Belt' or 'Six Sigma' on  https://www.irishjobs.ie/

There are a number of career paths available, as the Lean, OpEx and Six Sigma tools can be very effective in improving business processes in a variety of different industries and sectors. Many roles now include a requirement for a Green Belt certificate including:

• Continuous Improvement / Lean Coach
• Production Supervisor / Manager
• Quality Supervisor
• Quality Technician / Engineer
• Quality Manager
• Process / Manufacturing Engineer
• Process Excellence Specialist
• Supplier Quality Manager
• HR / Change Manager
• Project Manager
• Operational Excellence Specialist
• Business Excellence Lead

Further Study

After completing the Green Belt with ATU Sligo, you can progress to a Six Sigma Black Belt award.  In addition, as ATU Sligo offers online Quality programmes at Levels 7, 8 and 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), there will be a progression path for those students who pass the Green Belt course and wish to continue on with a degree in Quality or Manufacturing Management.  Students who meet the eligibility criteria to enter the full degree programme can upgrade their skills in specific areas while still earning credits towards a final degree award.

Optional ASQ / Quality America Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

As the ATU Sligo Green Belt syllabus covers both the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and the Quality America exam Bodies of Knowledge (BOK) you may wish to gain an additional certification to your accredited ATU Sligo award by sitting an external exam. Further details will be provided during your course of study at IT Sligo.

Note: If you plan to take the ASQ Green Belt exam, you must enrol on the Six Sigma 2 module instead of the Lean & OpEx module due to the statistics covered in the Six Sigma 2 module which are part of the ASQ Green Belt Body of Knowledge (BOK).  The Six Sigma 2 module runs from January - May each year.

These additional qualification(s) are NOT mandatory. The ASQ/Quality America exam preparation workshop and exam fees are paid directly to the external providers. They are NOT included in your ATU Sligo fees. 

Testimonials

“We selected ATU Sligo as they are the leading provider of accredited online learning programmes in Ireland. Their online learning systems allow our employees to access the course material anytime, anywhere. It provides us with the unique ability to train over 2,000 of our employees in a cost-effective way across 10 sites working on multiple shifts. This online course is a key part of the progression path for Glanbia employees who wish to continue to upskill and earn additional qualifications such as Lean Six Sigma Yellow and Green Belt certification.” Michael Phelan, Glanbia Ireland’s Head of Operations and Supply Chain Excellence

Read the full story here 

Programme Fees

Academic Year 2024/25 Fee:

Total Programme Fee: €1,500

Funding Opportunities

Next Level Skillnet funding may be available to successful applicants who fulfil eligibility criteria. Please email Sue Davies in Next Level Skillnet to find out more information: sue@nextlevel.ie 

Employer Funded Applicants
Where employers enrol employees on the Six Sigma Green Belt programme, employers will share employee names, email addresses and any other information relating to eligibility, as required, with ATU.  ATU will share the registration status of employees with the employer who has enrolled them, on request, and the completion status of such employees, on request, in line with a data sharing agreement.

If you are an employer and looking to enrol groups of applicants, please contact Jean Gilligan jean.gilligan@atu.ie 

Course Format

Semester 1 - September to December

Semester 2 - January to May

Semester 3 - October to May