Lean & Continuous Improvement
Practical Lean tools, workplace problem‑solving, and continuous improvement methods that transform teams and operations.
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What Lean & CI Delivers
Reduce Waste
Identify inefficiencies, eliminate recurring issues, and remove the 8 wastes (TIMWOODS) from daily operations.
Improve Flow
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Design processes that move smoothly, reduce delays, and increase productivity across teams and departments.
Build Capability
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Equip teams with practical Lean tools, problem‑solving methods, and continuous improvement skills they can apply immediately.
Green Circular Economy
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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
Leadership & Management Training & Development
Funded team-leading qualifications, first-line management NVQs, senior leadership programmes, and accredited online courses — building confident, capable leaders who drive performance, engage teams, and grow your business.
Matrix Standard · Cyber Essentials Plus · Disability Confident Employer
Funded Workforce Training
Nationally recognised, workplace-based leadership and management qualifications funded for eligible employers. Assessed on the job — learners apply new skills directly to your teams, your challenges, and your business goals from day one.
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
Highfield / EAL
Level 2
Level 2 Certificate in Team Leading
Level 2 Certificate in Team Leading Principles and Practice
An ideal starting point for new supervisors, team leaders, and aspiring managers. Covers the core skills needed to lead small teams effectively: communication, motivation, task allocation, and performance monitoring. Learners apply these skills in their daily role, building confidence and capability while improving team productivity.
Outcomes:
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Lead, motivate, and support small teams to meet targets
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Communicate clearly and effectively with team members and stakeholders
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Allocate work, set priorities, and monitor performance
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Identify and resolve routine team issues
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Support health, safety, and wellbeing in the workplace
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Develop the skills and confidence to progress to Level 3 management
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Gain a nationally recognised Level 2 leadership qualification
Reference (Find a Learning Aim): Varies — confirm with portal
Duration: Typically 3–4 months
Funding: Funded (subject to eligibility)
Course #02
Highfield / City & Guilds / NOCN
Level 3
Level 3 Diploma in Management
Level 3 Diploma in Management and Leadership
Designed for practising first-line managers, supervisors, and section leads with responsibility for teams, budgets, or projects. Covers operational planning, resource management, performance management, and leadership behaviour. Assessed in your workplace using real evidence — learners deliver measurable improvements while they learn.
Outcomes:
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Plan, allocate, and monitor work and resources effectively
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Lead and manage teams to achieve operational and business objectives
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Manage performance, provide feedback, and support development
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Communicate organisational goals and build commitment
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Solve problems and make informed management decisions
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Ensure legal and regulatory compliance within your area of responsibility
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Gain a nationally recognised Level 3 management qualification
Reference (Find a Learning Aim): Varies — confirm with portal
Duration: Typically 6–9 months
Funding: Funded (subject to eligibility)
Course #03
City & Guilds / NOCN
Level 5
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Senior Managers
For experienced managers moving into senior roles or leading whole departments/functions. Covers strategic planning, financial management, organisational culture, and change leadership. Develops leaders who think and act strategically, aligning their function with your long-term business vision.
Outcomes:
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Develop and implement operational plans aligned with organisational strategy
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Lead change and drive continuous improvement across functions
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Manage budgets, financial resources, and business risk
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Build organisational culture, engagement, and high performance
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Lead cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder relationships
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Develop sustainable leadership capability across the business
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Gain a nationally recognised Level 5 senior leadership qualification
Reference (Find a Learning Aim): Varies — confirm with portal
Duration: 9-12 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:
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Understand core Lean principles and their workplace application
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Identify and categorise the eight wastes (DOWNTIME)
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Explore how Lean techniques improve quality, cost, and delivery
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Build confidence to contribute to improvement activities in a new role
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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:
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Apply 5S to organise and standardise a workspace
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Use basic problem-solving frameworks (5 Whys, Fishbone)
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Create simple process maps to identify improvement opportunities
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Demonstrate practical CI skills to employers
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Gain an EAL-accredited Level 2 qualification
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Gain a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification (101 credits)
Pathway: N/A
Duration: 3–5 days
Funding: Funded (subject to eligibility)
Leadership Bootcamps
Intensive programmes combining learning with live workplace projects — developing leaders who deliver measurable change while they train. Designed for groups or individuals with clear business impact goals.
Bootcamp #01
Practice-Focused
Intermediate
High-Performance Team Leadership Bootcamp
Builds the behaviours and capabilities that define great team leaders — emotional intelligence, coaching, resilience, and communication. Learners complete a live team-engagement project in your business, improving retention, productivity, and morale before the programme ends.
Outcomes:
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Apply coaching and mentoring skills to develop team members
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Build psychological safety, trust, and open communication
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Manage conflict, change, and pressure with confidence
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Motivate diverse teams and sustain high performance
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Lead engagement initiatives that reduce turnover
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Deliver a live team-performance project with measurable results
Cost: £3,500 per learner (10% employer contribution)
Duration: 3 months
Funding: Employer-funded
Bootcamp#02
Business-Focused
Senior
Strategic Operations Leadership Bootcamp
For leaders responsible for delivery, output, or operational results. Integrates leadership skills with operational planning, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement. Learners redesign processes, optimise workflows, and build improvement cultures.
Outcomes:
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Translate business goals into operational plans and team targets
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Use data and evidence to guide decision-making
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Build continuous improvement mindsets across teams
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Lead cross-functional projects and manage stakeholder expectations
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Balance people leadership with delivery and efficiency
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Deliver a live operational improvement project
Cost: £3,500 per learner (10% employer contribution)
Duration: 3 months
Funding: Employer-funded
Commercial Short Courses
Focused leadership and management modules — book individually or combine into a tailored development programme. All delivered by practising leaders with real industry experience.
Modules:
Coaching for Performance
Develop your people through effective feedback, questioning, and goal-setting. Build capability from within.
Duration: 1 day
Communication & Influence
Tailor your message, listen actively, and communicate with impact across all levels of the business.
Duration: 1 day
Decision Making & Problem Solving
Structured approaches to analysing issues, weighing options, and making confident, timely decisions.
Duration: 1-day
Performance Management
Set clear expectations, conduct meaningful reviews, address underperformance, and recognise achievement.
Duration: 1 day
Leading Change & Resilience
Navigate and lead others through change; build personal and team resilience in uncertain times.
Duration: 1 day
Time Management & Prioritisation
Manage workload, delegate effectively, and focus on high-impact leadership activities.
Duration: half day
Conflict Resolution & Difficult Conversations
Confidently address conflict, have difficult conversations, and rebuild working relationships.
Duration: 1 day
Strategic Thinking & Planning
Confidently address conflict, have difficult conversations, and rebuild working relationships.
Duration: 1 day
Wellbeing & Inclusive Leadership
Create supportive, inclusive environments where people feel valued, safe, and able to perform.
Duration: halfday
Financial Awareness for Leaders
Understand budgets, variance, cashflow, and the financial impact of your decisions.
Duration: 1 day
Delivery option
Open Courses
Scheduled dates, ideal for individuals or small teams.
Employer Sessions
Group rates, tailored to your sector and leadership challenges.
In-House Workshops
Delivered at your site, contextualised to your business and teams.
Online courses (Highfield referral)
Leadership & Management Online Courses
Flexible, self-paced accredited e-learning — perfect for busy leaders balancing development with day-to-day responsibilities. Fit learning around shift patterns, schedules, and deadlines.
Available Highfield online courses include:
Level 2 Certificate in Team Leading Principles
Level 3 Certificate in Management Principles
Level 3 Certificate in Management Principles
Level 2 Award in Leadership and Teamwork
Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management
Level 2 Award in Principles of Team Leading
Level 3 Award in Coaching Skills
Level 3 Award in Coaching Skills
Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace
GDPR & Data Protection for Managers
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Leadership
Level 3 Award in Personal Development for Leaders
Online course
Compliance & Essential Skills for Leaders
Every effective leader needs these foundations — legal compliance, safety awareness, and professional standards. Deliver as standalone training or bundle with any leadership programme.
Mandatory / Regulated
Leaders must demonstrate awareness of these legal duties and responsibilities
compliance pills:
Health & Safety for Managers Level 2/3
Fire Safety Awareness for Responsible Persons
Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace
GDPR & Data Protection Responsibilities
Equality & Diversity / Prevent Duty Awareness
Safeguarding & Duty of Care
Strongly Recommended
Not legally required but essential for effective, trusted, and professional leadership.
compliance pills:
Employment Law & HR Essentials for Managers
Performance Management & Disciplinary Procedures
Safeguarding & Welfare Awareness
Inclusive Leadership & Cultural Awareness
Business Continuity & Crisis Management
Why Choose UTraining
North East leadership development built for real workplaces, not generic classrooms. We develop leaders who understand your sector, your people, and your business goals.
Workplace-Assessed Qualifications
All NVQ and diploma qualifications are assessed on the job, using real work and evidence from your business. No artificial scenarios.
Sector-Experienced Tutors
Our coaches have held leadership roles in manufacturing, logistics, public services, and SMEs. They speak your language.
Flexible Delivery That Fits
On-site, off-site, virtual, or blended. We work around shift patterns, deadlines, and operational needs.
Recognised, Funded Qualifications
Highfield, EAL, City & Guilds, and NOCN accredited — eligible for funding where available.
From Team Lead to Senior Manager
Clear progression pathways. Start at Level 2, move through Level 3, on to Level 5 — with us at every stage.
Trusted & Quality-Assured
Matrix Standard accredited, Cyber Essentials Plus certified, Disability Confident Employer.
Develop Confident Leaders Across Your Business
Tell us about your teams, your structure, and your goals. We will design a leadership development pathway that fits your business — and help you access funding where available.