ASQ Certifications: Great Workforce Development Tools

Abstract: The recent and sudden economic downturn has proved to be a real challenge to the economic competitiveness of the state of Indiana. The workforce in the northeast region of Indiana has been hit particularly hard this last year, largely due to an idled recreational vehicle industry, which added a large number of workers to the unemployment ranks. Indiana’s Ivy Tech Community College has paired with ASQ to develop training programs for the certified quality improvement associate and Six Sigma Green Belt certifications. Ivy Tech’s research has shown that many viable organizations in the region with potential hiring opportunities already practice lean Six Sigma. These organizations understand the need for a competitive edge in their business operations; therefore, they realize they need to show a return on their investment by adopting continuous improvement philosophies for reducing waste, improving efficiency and enhancing product and service quality.

Keywords: Career Development - Higher Education Brief