Everyone Needs To Know
Our Certified Lean Apprentice course provides a great introduction to the principles, concepts, and terms which everyone “must understand” in any organization seeking to make a Lean Transformation.
As a Lean Apprentice, you will be a valuable project team member able to help analyze value streams, design and implement improved value streams, and transition processes into continuous improvement.
Leveraging a powerful, yet easy to navigate, learning management system, this course provides a variety of educational techniques. Examples include videos, articles, podcasts, and quizzes.

Lean Certification Options
100% online leveraging our easy-to-use learning management system. Enjoy the flexibility of 24/7 access, allowing you to study whenever and wherever you want. You can also take advantage of optional check-ins with your course instructor to ensure you’re progressing smoothly.
Customized programs for organizations with 8 to 12 candidates. This is your chance to craft a schedule of training and coaching which allows you to run multiple Lean projects and see incredible results.
Contact us to discuss how we can customize the certification experience for your team.

What's Involved in Earning the Certified Lean Apprentice?
During this course, you will:
- Leverage a package of online tools through a state-of-the-art learning management system
- Work exercises to learn first-hand the challenges with meeting customer requirements
- Take quizzes to measure your progress in learning the key principles, concepts, and terms
- Receive coaching from an instructor at every step along the way; you will not be alone on this journey of discovery
- Achieve an understanding of the most important principles, concepts, and terms
- Take a certification exam providing the opportunity to earn personal recognition as a Certified Lean Apprentice
For most people, it will take about 6 to 8 hours.
Prerequisite for Certified Lean Apprentice
None.
Top 5 Personal Benefits of Earning a Lean Apprentice Certification
Career Advancement
Our Certified Lean Apprentice program provides a great introduction to the principles, concepts, and terms which everyone “must understand” in any organization seeking to make a Lean Transformation. As a Lean Apprentice, you will be a valuable project team member able to help analyze value streams, identify waste, design and implement improvements, and promote continuous improvement. Success with Lean projects and continuous improvement efforts will help propel your career.
Organizational Value
Contributing to Lean projects and continuous improvement efforts will deliver improved performance for your organization. Eliminating waste will improve the quality of products, services, and processes. Equipped with a solid understanding of Lean principles, concepts, and terms, you will collaborate effectively with team members on improvement projects and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
Knowledge Validation
A Lean credential validates your understanding of Lean principles and methodologies, providing employers with assurance of your knowledge. As members of the Credential Registry, an organization dedicated to providing up-to-date information about all credentials, we ensure your certification is recognized and verifies your knowledge and capabilities.
Collaborative Community
Through our Lean program, you gain valuable skills and become part of a thriving community of Lean professionals. As Thom Mandl emphasizes in his article on Top 5 Reasons to Earn a Certification, engaging with this community offers invaluable networking opportunities and access to industry events, allowing you to stay current with best practices and emerging trends.
Continuous Improvement
Self-improvement is essential for thriving in today's world. Investing in personal development not only enhances individual capabilities, but also contributes to organizational success. People who continuously seek opportunities for growth, will bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to their organization.
Agenda for Certified Lean Apprentice
- Lean Principles
- Types of Value
- Types of Waste
- Standard Work
- Continuous Improvement
Support
You won't be alone:
- Participants have telephone, email, and online support
- Instructors are experienced experts able to help participants respond to challenges
- The learning management system is easy to navigate and includes an extensive "help" feature
- Materials include templates and samples which significantly enhance effectiveness
Who Are Certified Lean Apprentices?
This program is designed for all types of individuals working at an organization seeking to make a Lean Transformation.
Examples include individuals working in:
- Healthcare Services
- Product Development
- Maintenance
- Human Resources
- Manufacturing
- Customer Service
- Supply Chain
- Sales
- Food Service
- Engineering
- Logistics
- Retail
- Information Technology
- Financial Services
- Field Service
- Marketing
- Hospitality Services
- Sourcing
- You
Lean works on any functional area which has waste!
Our approach supports people from any functional area and gives this course a competitive advantage you won't find with most other classes.
Register for 100% Online Class
Customized Lean Certification Classes
Contact us with any questions about 100% online courses or about customized options for any of our Lean certifications and other classes.
Credential Registry
We are members of the Credential Registry, an organization dedicated to providing up-to-date information about all credentials, a common description language to enable credential comparability, and a platform to search and retrieve information about credentials.
The best credentials are found at the Credential Registry.
Learn more at Credential Registry.
FAQs
How does Certified Lean Apprentice relate to the other certification levels?
Lean Apprentice, this certification, is the introductory certification and is designed for everyone at an organization which is pursuing a Lean Transformation.
Lean Practitioner gives you hands-on experience leading a value stream mapping project.
Lean Expert gives you hands-on experience leading a problem solving project.
Lean Master walks you through an assessment of your organization’s Lean Transformation program and helps you build an improvement roadmap.
You can learn more at Lean Education Standards.
Is an apprentice the same as a yellow belt?
Historically, belts have been used for Six Sigma certifications, a methodology focused on reducing variation. Some companies have applied the belts to Lean training. The yellow belt would be a close match to apprentice, but it can be confusing as an apprentice practices Lean and a yellow belt is focused on Six Sigma.
Collaborating with our customers and others, we have gone with Apprentice as it’s a clear connection to a role required at organizations pursuing a Lean Transformation.
You can learn more at Lean Education Standards.
How long does it take to obtain a Lean Apprentice certification?
For most people, your time investment will be about 6 to 8 hours. Since the course is self-paced, you can spread your time as fast or as slow as you want.
What support will be available to me as I complete my Lean certification?
Your assigned coach, will be available based on your preferences. You can connect with your coach via email, telephone, Zoom meetings, or through the learning management system. This customized approach allows you to get the most out of the course.
We are passionate about developing Lean leaders through education, application, and coaching. You will not be alone on this journey of discovery.
Can my organization go through Lean certification as a group?
Yes. It is very common for an organization to send waves of people through training. A Lean Transformation program is more energized and successful when everyone is on the same page.
Contact us to learn more.
How long does a Lean certification last?
Our Lean certifications need to be renewed every 3 years.
Our certification maintenance program is focused on keeping your skills refreshed through continuing education, improvement projects, and giving back.
Find more at Certification Maintenance.
How is Lean different from Lean Six Sigma?
Research into Lean Six Sigma reveals it is much more about Six Sigma and tends to have very little about the rich features of a Lean Transformation. Lean Six Sigma will often treat Lean as a collection of tools, you can sometime use when you work on a Six Sigma project.
Descriptions of Lean Six Sigma will often place a strong emphasis on using the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) methodology. This methodology is big for Six Sigma projects and not very common for Lean projects.
You can learn more at What is Lean Six Sigma?
Can a Lean certification be integrated with other management systems?
Yes. Lean certifications can easily fit into other management systems.
Lean is more than a set of tools, it’s a mindset of empowerment and improvement. This transformational mindset can support many successful management systems.
Other Classes
Certification Maintenance
Lean Education Standards
Professional Certifications
Top Reasons to Earn a Certification
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References
Course Information at the Credential Registry