Lean & Continuous Improvement
Practical Lean tools, workplace problem‑solving, and continuous improvement methods that transform teams and operations.
.png)
What Lean & CI Delivers
Reduce Waste
Identify inefficiencies, eliminate recurring issues, and remove the 8 wastes (TIMWOODS) from daily operations.
Improve Flow
.png)
Design processes that move smoothly, reduce delays, and increase productivity across teams and departments.
Build Capability
.png)
Equip teams with practical Lean tools, problem‑solving methods, and continuous improvement skills they can apply immediately.
Green Circular Economy
.png)
Connect Lean efficiency with environmental impact — reduce waste, lower carbon output, and support circular economy practices.
Lean Academy — Professional Lean & CI Training Modules
Practical Lean tools, workplace problem‑solving, and continuous improvement methods that transform teams and operations.
5S Workplace Organisation
Create a clean, efficient, and well‑structured workspace that supports productivity and safety.
Half-day - From £95pp
Visual Workplace
Improve clarity, reduce errors, and make processes easier to follow with strong visual controls.
Half-day - From £95pp.
Problem Solving
Equip teams with structured tools to identify root causes and eliminate recurring issues.
Half-day - From £95pp
Kaizen Rapid Improvement
Deliver fast, team‑led improvements using proven Kaizen principles and facilitation techniques.
Half-day/Full-day - From £95pp
Process Mapping & Flow Process Analysis
Map processes, identify bottlenecks, and uncover waste to improve flow and efficiency.
Half-day - From £95pp
Set-Up Reduction SMED)
Reduce changeover time and increase throughput with structured SMED methodology.
Full-day - From £175pp
Standardisation/SOPs
Create clear, consistent standards and visual SOPs that support quality and repeatability.
Half-day - From £95pp
Value Stream Mapping
Map end‑to‑end processes and design future‑state workflows that deliver measurable improvement.
Half-day - From £95pp
Making Materials Flow
Improve layout, reduce motion waste, and streamline material movement across the workplace.
Full-day - From £175pp
Engaging Leadership & Coaching for Performance
Develop leaders who can coach, motivate, and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
Full-day - From £175pp
Lean Culture & Behaviours
Build the mindset, habits, and behaviours needed to sustain Lean thinking across teams.
Half-day - From £95pp
Continuous Improvement Foundations
A practical introduction to CI tools, techniques, and daily improvement routines.
Half-day - From £95 pp
Funded Workforce Training
Accredited, workplace-based qualifications that develop your employees while delivering real improvements on your shop floor. These NVQ programmes are assessed in the workplace — learners build a portfolio of evidence around live improvement activities, so your business sees results from day one. All programmes embed Green Circular Economy principles by default, helping you reduce waste and improve sustainability alongside performance.
Funded Workforce Training
Accredited, workplace-based qualifications that develop your employees while delivering real improvements on your shop floor. These NVQ programmes are assessed in the workplace — learners build a portfolio of evidence around live improvement activities, so your business sees results from day one. All programmes embed Green Circular Economy principles by default, helping you reduce waste and improve sustainability alongside performance.
Course #01
EAL
Level 2
EAL NVQ Level 2 in Business Improvement Techniques
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques
A practical, workplace-based qualification that introduces learners to core business improvement tools and techniques. Learners apply 5S, problem solving, and process improvement methods to real tasks in your workplace — building evidence while making genuine improvements to quality, efficiency, and waste reduction.
Outcomes:
-
Apply 5S workplace organisation to a live work area
-
Use structured problem-solving tools to tackle real issues
-
Identify and eliminate waste in everyday processes
-
Build a portfolio of evidence from workplace improvement activities
-
Gain a nationally recognised Level 2 qualification
Pathway: Traditional or Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Aligned
Duration: Typically 3–4 months
Funding: Funded (subject to eligibility)
Course #02
EAL
Level 3
EAL NVQ Level 3 in Business Improvement Techniques
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques
A comprehensive qualification for team leaders and improvement specialists. Across 8 units, learners develop advanced skills in continuous improvement, team leadership, visual management, flow process analysis, and standard operating procedures. Assessment is through real workplace performance — three examples per unit, evidenced through product evidence, observation, witness testimony, and verbal and written questioning.
Outcomes:
-
Lead effective teams through improvement initiatives
-
Implement and sustain 5S workplace organisation
-
Apply Kaizen continuous improvement techniques to live processes
-
Develop visual management systems that make performance visible
-
Carry out structured problem solving and flow process analysis
-
Create and embed standard operating procedures that sustain gains
-
Gain a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification (101 credits)
Unit breakdown:​
1. Complying with Statutory Regulations & Safety Requirements (Level 2, 5 credits) 2. Leading Effective Teams (Level 3, 9 credits) 3. Applying 5S Workplace Organisation (Level 3, 14 credits) 4. Applying Continuous Improvement Techniques — Kaizen (Level 3, 18 credits) 5. Developing Visual Management Systems (Level 3, 13 credits) 6. Carrying Out Problem Solving Activities (Level 3, 12 credits) 7. Applying Flow Process Analysis (Level 3, 18 credits) 8. Creating Standard Operating Procedures (Level 3, 12 credits)
Pathway: Traditional or Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Aligned
Duration: Typically 6–9 months
Funding: Funded (subject to eligibility)
Funded Pre-Employment Training
Short, focused qualifications that prepare individuals for work in Lean and continuous improvement environments. Ideal for unemployed adults, career changers, and employers running pre-employment programmes. These courses introduce Lean principles, waste reduction, and practical improvement skills that learners can apply from their first day on the job. Delivered 100% face-to-face with a practical, supportive approach.
Course #03
Highfield
Level 2
Highfield Level 2 Lean Organisation Management Techniques
Highfield Level 2 Certificate in Lean Organisation Management Techniques
A nationally recognised qualification introducing the principles of Lean, waste reduction, and organisational efficiency. Learners explore how Lean thinking applies to real workplaces, identify the eight wastes, and understand how continuous improvement drives better performance. A strong foundation for anyone entering a manufacturing, processing, or operational environment.
Outcomes:
-
Understand core Lean principles and their workplace application
-
Identify and categorise the eight wastes (DOWNTIME)
-
Explore how Lean techniques improve quality, cost, and delivery
-
Build confidence to contribute to improvement activities in a new role
-
Gain a nationally recognised Level 2 qualification
Pathway: N/A
Duration: 1 week (typically 5 days)
Funding: Funded (subject to eligibility)
Course #04
EAL
Level 2
EAL Level 2 Applying Business Improvement Techniques
EAL Level 2 Award in Applying Business Improvement Techniques
A hands-on introduction to continuous improvement tools that learners can use immediately. Covers 5S, problem solving, and process mapping through practical exercises that mirror real workplace scenarios. Perfect for pre-employment programmes where learners need to demonstrate practical CI skills to prospective employers.
Outcomes:
-
Apply 5S to organise and standardise a workspace
-
Use basic problem-solving frameworks (5 Whys, Fishbone)
-
Create simple process maps to identify improvement opportunities
-
Demonstrate practical CI skills to employers
-
Gain an EAL-accredited Level 2 qualification
-
Gain a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification (101 credits)
Pathway: N/A
Duration: 3–5 days
Funding: Funded (subject to eligibility)
Bootcamps
Intensive, employer-focused programmes that develop internal improvement capability. Our bootcamps combine classroom learning with a live workplace project, so learners deliver measurable results while they train. Ideal for employers who want to build self-sufficient improvement teams.
Bootcamp #01
IASSC Aligned
Level 2
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Bootcamp
An intensive programme covering the full DMAIC methodology (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control). Learners develop structured problem-solving skills, data analysis capability, and project delivery experience. Each learner completes a live improvement project in your workplace, delivering measurable ROI before the bootcamp ends. Aligned with IASSC Green Belt standards.
Outcomes:
-
Master the DMAIC improvement methodology end to end
-
Lead a live improvement project with measurable business impact
-
Apply statistical and data analysis tools to real problems
-
Develop sustainable control plans that lock in gains
-
Build internal capability to lead future improvement initiatives
-
IASSC Green Belt aligned
Cost: £3,500 per learner (10% employer contribution)
Duration: 3 months
Funding: Employer-funded
Bootcamp#02
Lean + Sustainability
Introductory to Intermediate
Lean Green Circular Economy Bootcamp
A modern Lean programme that integrates sustainability, waste reduction, and circular economy principles. Learners apply traditional Lean tools — 5S, waste elimination, process mapping — alongside circular economy thinking to reduce environmental impact while improving operational performance. Designed for employers who want to align improvement work with sustainability goals.
Outcomes:
-
Apply Lean tools through a circular economy lens
-
Identify and reduce both operational and environmental waste
-
Build improvement initiatives that support carbon-reduction goals
-
Deliver a live workplace project with measurable sustainability and performance gains
-
Develop a practical understanding of Green Circular Economy principles
Cost: £3,500 per learner (10% employer contribution)
Duration: 3 months
Funding: Employer-funded
Commercial Short Courses
Ten high-impact Lean & CI modules, available as standalone courses or combined into a tailored programme. Pick the modules that address your specific challenges, or let us design a bespoke package around your improvement goals. Every module is delivered by experienced practitioners and tailored to your workplace context.
Modules:
5S Workplace Organisation
Sort, set in order, shine, standardise, and sustain — the foundation of any improvement culture.
Duration: Halfday
Visual Workplace
Make performance, standards, and abnormalities visible at a glance with visual management systems.
Duration: Halfday
Problem Solving
Structured problem-solving tools including 5 Whys, Fishbone, and A3 thinking.
Duration: 1-day
Kaizen Rapid Improvement
Plan and deliver a rapid improvement event that delivers results in days, not months.
Duration: 1-2 day
Process Mapping & Flow Process Analysis
Map your current processes, identify bottlenecks and non-value-added steps, and redesign for flow.
Duration: 1 day
Set-Up Reduction (SMED)
Reduce changeover times and increase flexibility using Single-Minute Exchange of Die principles.
Duration: 1 day
Standardisation / SOPs
Create clear, usable standard operating procedures that sustain improvements and reduce variation.
Duration: Halfday
Value Stream Mapping
Map the full value stream end to end, see the flow of material and information, and design the future state.
Duration: 1 day
Making Materials Flow
Design and implement material flow systems that reduce handling, motion waste, and lead times.
Duration: 1 day
Engaging Leadership & Coaching for Performance
Equip leaders to coach, engage, and sustain a continuous improvement culture in their teams.
Duration: 1 day
Delivery option
Open Courses
Per-person booking on scheduled dates. Ideal for individuals or small teams.
Employer Sessions
Group bookings with discounted rates. Tailored to your sector and workplace
Workplace Workshops
On-site delivery at your premises. Fully contextualised to your processes and challenges
Online courses (Highfield referral)
Business Improvement & Lean Qualifications (Levels 2–3)
Prefer to learn online? We partner with Highfield Qualifications to offer a range of accredited Lean and business improvement courses delivered through their e-learning platform. These self-paced qualifications cover the same core content as our classroom courses, with the flexibility to fit learning around work and life commitments.
Available qualifications include Level 2 and Level 3 Lean and Business Improvement awards — ideal for individuals and employers who need flexible delivery options.
Online course
Regulated / must-have employer compliance
Essential compliance training that keeps your workforce safe, legal, and protected. Delivered face-to-face or online, these short courses meet regulatory requirements and can be bundled with any Lean & CI programme for a complete workforce development package.
compliance pills:
Health & Safety
Manual Handling
Fire Safety
First Aid
Working at Height
Asbestos Awareness
COSHH
Food Safety
GDPR
DSE Awareness
Why Choose UTraining
We are a North East training provider focused on real workplace improvement, not box-ticking. Our delivery is 100% face-to-face, practical, and tailored to your business — so training translates into better quality, productivity, and performance.
Accredited Qualifications
All our Lean & CI courses are accredited by recognised awarding bodies including EAL, Highfield, and IASSC. Your learners gain qualifications that carry weight with employers and inspectors.
Employer-Aligned Delivery
We build programmes around your processes, your challenges, and your goals. Training happens in your workplace, on real tasks — not in a classroom talking about theory.
Sector-Specific Pathways
From manufacturing and processing to construction and civil engineering, we tailor content and examples to your sector. Learners see relevance from day one
Flexible Delivery
Face-to-face at your premises, open courses at scheduled venues, or online through our Highfield partnership. We adapt to how your team works best.
Newcastle-Based, National Reach
Proudly based in the North East, serving Tyne & Wear, County Durham, and Northumberland — with growing national partnerships for employers further afield.
Quality-Assured and Trusted
Matrix Standard accredited, Cyber Essentials Plus certified, and a Disability Confident Employer. We hold ourselves to the same standards we help you achieve