Before and during the course FAQs

The goal of Lean thinking is to increase efficiency and customer satisfaction by implementing a culture of continuous improvement (Kaizen culture). This culture is supported with the use of Lean tools and techniques such as value stream mapping, which is used to identify waste by mapping the flow of information and materials. Learn more about Lean on our Lean Training Courses.

Virtual Classroom Training is the same as face to face training with the exception that the training is completed online, allowing you to join from your preferred location including your home or office. We use well-established, user-friendly video conferencing technology to allow you to easily see, hear and talk to the tutor and other delegates throughout the course duration. As with venue-based training, virtual classroom training incorporates a range of engaging teaching techniques including group work, case studies and role-plays. Our online training courses are certified by professional bodies including the CQI and IRCA, IEMA, RSS & IOSH and all delegates receive a certificate upon successful completion.

Yes, employees can undertake training whilst furloughed. Government guidelines in a sense encourage this by stating that employees ‘must be able to undertake any training [their company] require while on furlough’ and therefore many businesses will see it as an opportunity to upskill their workforce and ensure certificates are up to date prior to them returning to work.

Government guidance also explains that training for employees whilst furloughed is allowed on the basis that they are not making money for their employer (or a company linked or associated to their employer), or providing services to their employer.  Note also that employees undertaking training whilst on furlough must be paid the minimum wage, even if this is more than the 80% of their wage that will be subsidised.

Providing staff with training whilst on furlough is a great way to enhance their skills without the pressure of their usual workload distracting from their studies. Bywater offers online ISO auditing & business improvement training courses within our Virtual Classroom that allow your staff to undertake training at home. In addition, we continue to offer our venue based training courses.

Further details of the government regulations regarding training whilst furloughed can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Please note, the furlough schemed ended on the 30th of September 2021.

The virtual courses have all of the benefits of our scheduled course with the added convenience of not having to leave your home. The courses are delivered on Zoom by an expert tutor. Prior to the course date you will be sent the relevant training materials, either via post or virtually if you prefer.  Training includes breakout rooms to ensure they remain interactive. The tutor shares their screen with you and discusses the presentation slides, as they would in a scheduled exam. Our Virtual Classroom Training courses also run with smaller class sizes for maximum tutor-delegate interaction. If the chosen course includes an exam, this will take place via FlexiQuiz, a secure online testing platform.

Prior to the course date you will be provided with relevant contact details for technical support. If you have any technical questions, wish to schedule a Taster session, or general questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Click here to learn more about our Virtual Classroom training.

There are various reasons why people choose a career in auditing, for some it may be they have been selected to undertake a course in internal auditing by their managers whilst others simply wish to drive improvements within companies. Below are just a few of the benefits of becoming an auditor:

• Competitive salary
• Opportunities to work on a permanent, contracted or freelance basis to meet your requirements
• Career progression, for example into management consultancy roles
• ISO standards are internationally recognised, for example the CQI and IRCA have members in 100 countries
• Many auditors are able to travel within their role visiting various clients
• Play a key part in improving businesses, whether it is in terms of quality, environmentally or in terms of health and safety
• There are various ISO standards to audit against, select a standard which is of interest to you

Although the two are often paired together seamlessly in conversation and can be combined in some introductory training courses, there are some substantial differences between Lean and Six Sigma. Lean is a set of tools and techniques that are used under a culture of continuous improvement aimed at eliminating waste. Whereas Six Sigma focuses on the reduction of process variation with use of data and statistical analysis tools.

Our Lean training courses, including Lean Practitioner and Lean Leader courses can be viewed here.

Our RSS approved Six Sigma training courses, including Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt training courses can be viewed here.

Six Sigma is a set of statistical analysis tools used to measure and eliminate process variation, in other words, it improves quality by reducing the likelihood something is done wrong or differently to the way the customer is expecting. The Six Sigma process is based upon the DMAIC methodology of Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control. We offer a range of RSS approved Six Sigma courses, including Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Six Sigma Green Belt and Six Sigma Black Belt Training Courses.

As an individual you can become certified through your organisation if it is certified by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS), or directly through the RSS. This is available to delegates that successfully complete either a Six Sigma Green Belt training course or a full Lean Practitioner Programme. The process will involve submitting a portfolio of evidence demonstrating successful practice. Delegates will also have to attend a half day assessment centre at RSS in London, for groups this can be arranged on site. Bywater does offer a bespoke training package to guide delegates through this process with one to one tutoring from Lean and Six Sigma experts.

A business can be become certified through the RSS 18404 scheme. This will be an assessment of the ‘system the organisation has in place for managing the competence of its Key Personnel under the standard.’  A full description of the process can be found here.

Kaizen simply means ‘improvement’ in Japanese. The word Kaizen has been used within Lean as an expression of a philosophy of small scale incremental and continual improvement changes.

Rather confusingly a ‘Kaizen event’ means something different, is an improvement event that happens over a very short period of time to make improvements of a pre-determined set of processes. Learn more on our Kaizen and 5S Training Course.

Lean is a continuous improvement approach that incorporates a number of tools and techniques to create a Kaizen culture (a culture of continuous improvement). Lean allows businesses to redefine the output of departments and functions by focusing on what value is from a customer perspective at every stage of a product or service creation. Actions that do not add value to the customer are considered waste, or Muda which can be removed. For more information view our Lean training courses including our Lean Practitioner and Lean Leader training courses.