Six Sigma Certification, How marketable? 3

[aspearin1]

I have the opportunity to obtain 6-Sigma Green Belt certification at a fairly reasonable price. My question is, how marketable would this be for a process/manufacturing engineer? I would use this as a tool to increase my employability, but I am not interested in becoming a "Quality Engineer" per-se. And is a Green Belt really worth anything? I work in a company that "practices" Six Sigma principles, but it's not a part of the business model. Is Six Sigma a dying ideal?

ChemE, M.E. EIT
"The only constant in life is change." -Bruce Lee

 

[bubb375]

aspearin1-

It never hurts to have another certification under your belt. There are quite a few large corporations that favor a six sigma certification (usually black belt, but green belt will do). GE and Delta Airlines to name a few.

Ultimately, you have to decide if it is worth your time and investment. I was offered the training for free, so you can see why I'm a greenbelt. I probably would have done it if there wasn't a major monetary investment.

Just my thoughts...

Brian

 

[IRstuff]

Since the general rule of thumb is that you tailor your CV to particular employers, you'll need to exercise that option here.

While there should be companies where that's an important factor, there will be others that may espouse the principles, but don't really practice them

TTFN

 

[COKA]

I worked for a company that did not practice six sigma, but that valued those who had a green belt or a black belt enough to hire them. My suggestion to you is to get your green belt and more if you have a chance. It can only be useful.

Coka

 

[tygerdawg]

Depends upon the hiring company, but could be VERY useful & marketable. The Six Sigma methodologies in their various forms are very useful to a manufacturing & process engineer. It helps one to understand the variation in the manufacturing process, how to determine what is varying, and then you use your engineering training to develop solutions to cure the variation. Just because you have SS training DOES NOT qualify you to be a Quality Engineer nor does it dictate any particular career path.

For example, go to General Electric's website and do a job search for engineering positions. See how many require either a Green or Black belt. That is one particular company that actively pursues getting their employees ALL trained in SS methods.

TygerDawg

 

[GregLocock]

Since every engineer where I work is supposed to be green belt by the end of the year I don't think it is a great way to stand out from the crowd.

The problem with Six Sigma is that underneath the marketing it is the same old stuff, albeit given a better method to link the parts together.

The success of 6S is that it has been marketed to the only people who can release enough resources to make a difference.



Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[pmureiko]

I recommend getting the 6s training. It is being used as an applicant screening tool and has nothing to do with hiring a good, capable engineer. Get it so your resume will make it to the next review level.

6s is a useful tool, but management abuses it thinking it is a cure all that gets more work from less people. I suspect compnanies implementing 6s are essentially admitting that engineers who truly understand the process are worth something.

 

[Comcokid]

I regurarly browse the various job boards (to gauge the ecomony), and frequently see companies asking for engineers with some training in 6 sigma methods. Having it on a resume will not hurt.

However, I do agree with GregLocock. New name - same old game.

Companies may demand 6 sigma at the manufacturing level, but still practice 1 sigma decision making at the executive level.