FAQ’s Six Sigma Green Belt
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is the Six Sigma Green Belt course aimed at?
Answer: Six Sigma Green Belt provides participants with enhanced problem-solving skills, using the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control) model. This certification is in great demand by companies across all sectors in either manufacturing, pharmaceutical, healthcare or service sectors. It is suitable for all levels within the organisation from supervisor and technician through to engineering and management level.
Q2: What are the prerequisites for the Six Sigma Green Belt course?
Answer: Applicants are expected to have a Leaving Certificate or equivalent due to the Statistics covered in the course syllabus. It is preferable that you would be in a position to complete a Six Sigma Green belt project with an employer. If you are unable to complete a work based project, a research type project related to Lean Six Sigma can be completed. More details on the project requirements are listed below.
Q3: Is there an induction programme for new students?
If you are commencing the course in September, it is recommended that you attend our 2 day online induction days held during the second week in September at IT Sligo. Although not mandatory, it will give you an opportunity to become familiar with the technology and meet fellow students and lecturers. You will be notified of the exact days for the induction once you register on the course.
Q4: What type of work based project needs to be completed for a Six Sigma Green Belt?
Answer: The work based project will be undertaken by the student and should address a substantive issue in the workplace. The project will test the student’s ability to define a real-life problem of concern to the organisation, design a strategy for addressing the problem, gather data, formulate and evaluate options and make recommendations. The project should follow the Six Sigma DMAIC methodology. While it is recommended that the problem is addressed as part of a cross-functional team, it is important that the student makes a significant contribution to the success of the project. A financial saving must be identified for Green Belt projects.
Examples of projects that qualify:
- Manufacturing product defect reduction
- Human resources recruitment cycle-time reduction
- Reduced accounts payable invoice processing costs
- Reduced machine setup time
- Design related project using DFSS
Projects that do NOT qualify:
- Projects that do NOT follow the DMAIC methodology and use of associated tools.
- Pre-packaged or classroom exercises that are mock or simulated projects that were previously completed and/or that do not include actual “hands on” work
- Any project without measured before-and-after cost benefits
- Research type projects – see below.
Q5: What if I am unemployed and cannot complete a work based project with an employer?
Answer: If you are unable to complete a work based project, a research type project related to Lean Six Sigma can be completed. It will still be possible for those students undertaking a Research project to obtain (external) Green Belt certification. Upon successfully completing the external 1 day workshop and external Green Belt exam, you will be awarded a Green Belt certificate (without Project). You can update this in the future to a Green Belt (with Project) should you complete a suitable Green Belt project with an employer.
Q6: How long does the course last?
Answer: The course duration is 2 semesters. The course will run from September – December and from Jan – April each year. You may enrol in either September or January each year.
Q7: How many hours of lectures are there per week?
Answer: There are approx. 2-3 hours of lectures delivered live online over the Internet each week. These are also recorded so you can watch them anytime if you cannot attend the live lecture.
Q8: How much study time is required per week?
Answer: For each module we recommend approx 5 hours per week study time although if you are already familiar with some of the topics from your prior work or educational experience, this will be less.
Q9: How often do I need to attend IT Sligo?
There is no requirement to attend IT Sligo except for exams at the end of each semester. All lectures are delivered live online each week and recordings are also available if you cannot log in to the live lecture. You can use our online technology to present online on your Six Sigma green belt project.
Q10: What is included in the course?
Answer: You will have full access to online course notes and online live lectures. The textbook cost is approx €20 and will have to be purchased by the student.
Q11: Are there any grants available for course fees?
Answer: The course has in the past been grant aided by the Irish government under the Springboard initiative for those applicants not in employment. If grants are available for this years course, this will be listed on the Six Sigma course page on the IT Sligo website. Many students have their company sponsor them as the IT Sligo course is competitively priced. Should grants become available we will notify all applicants.
Q12: Is the external Green Belt fee covered under Springboard funding?
Answer: The external green belt certification from Quality America is in addition to the Certificate in Lean Sigma Quality that you obtain from IT Sligo. The fee for the external exam goes to the external provider and not to IT Sligo. It is therefore not covered under Springboard funding.
Q13: Does the course fee include VAT?
Answer: There is no VAT on training courses in Ireland so the fee shown on the website is the total amount payable.
Q14: What type of exams are needed to pass this course?
Answer: There is a 2.5 hour written exam for each Six Sigma 1 & 2 module. For the Six Sigma 3 module there is a project presentation and report. For the (optional) external exam, there is also an online Green Belt exam which you need to pass within 6 months of completing the course.
Q15: Is the external Green Belt exam mandatory?
Answer: The external Green belt is not mandatory and all participants in the course who successfully complete the three modules will receive a Certificate in Lean Sigma Quality from IT Sligo.
Q16: If I fail in any of the exams, what is the provision to repeat?
Answer: Repeat exams are held in August each year in IT Sligo. There is a nominal repeat exam fee – approx €50. You can repeat exams twice.
Q17: What will be the HETAC level of credits I will receive by completing this course?
Answer: You receive 15 credits at Level 7 if you successfully complete all three modules. You will also receive a HETAC Certificate in Lean Sigma Quality.
Q18: Do I have to take all three modules in one semester?
Answer: Modules can be studied over a longer period of time if required – up to 2 years. For example you can take the Six Sigma 1 & 2 modules during the first year followed by the Six Sigma 3 module. You will receive 5 credits each single module you successfully complete. Please check the website to ensure that all modules are being offered in both semesters.
Q19: Who certifies the external Green Belt exam?
Answer: Certification to Green Belt is organised through an Irish based training company and Quality America Inc. Quality America Inc, is one of the premier providers of Six Sigma Training and consultancy in the US and internationally with over 3,000 students trained and certified to date. More than 50 organizations, colleges and universities use their Six Sigma instructor materials. The Green Belt programme is based on the ‘Six Sigma Demystified’ text by Paul A. Keller, Vice President Quality America. Further information is available on: http://www.qualityamerica.com/
Q20: I am studying for a Quality / Engineering degree in IT Sligo. Are there any exemptions from the external Green Belt award?
Answer: Students completing the degrees listed below meet the requirements of the internationally recognised Six Sigma Green Belt award. Students receive this award in addition to their degree by sitting an external Green Belt exam. The following are the exemptions based on the degree you are studying:
Level 7 BSc Quality: You receive 3 exemptions. You need to enrol in the following:
1) External Green Belt exam
Level 7 BSc Manufacturing Management: You receive 3 exemptions. You need to enrol in the following:
1) External Green Belt exam
Level 7 BEng Polymer: You receive 3 exemptions. You need to enrol in the following:
1) External Green Belt exam
Level 8 BSc Quality Mgmt & Technology: You need to enrol in the following modules:
1) Six Sigma 3 – Project
2) External Green Belt exam
However even though you are exempt from some modules, you would need to review the Six Sigma Green Belt syllabus and carry out your own self study on any areas you need to revise.