TechHelp will offer a Public Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) Course this spring in the Treasure Valley. Lean Six Sigma is a well-known approach to achieving operational excellence, combining the process improvement benefits of Lean with the statistical process control strengths of Six Sigma. This course includes four full-day training sessions with time between sessions for participants to work on real-world projects.  

Participants in the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) Course will:

• Learn and apply the principles of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma using the DMAIC process
• Receive instruction from experienced Lean Six Sigma practitioners who support project work and class learning
• Engage with course material, simulations, and exercises tailored to regional industry needs
• Apply class knowledge to an actual project in their organization, gaining practical, hands-on experience
• Earn a completion certificate from an Idaho University upon successful course completion

Course Details:

• Class size: Limited to 15–20 participants to ensure quality interaction and project supervision. A minimum of 10 participants is required to activate the class
• Course Fee: $1,400 per person, covering all sessions, materials, project support, venues, and food
• Discounts: 15% off for two or more registrations from the same company or for single registrations before January 31, 2025; IMA, NIMA, SBDC, PNDC members receive a 10% discount

LSSGB Course Outline:

• Day 1 – Define: Introduction to Lean Six Sigma, project kick-off with Problem Statements, SIPOC map, Voice of the Customer, and data collection
• Day 2 – Measure: Learn to measure process performance with tools like Standard Deviation, Control Charts, and QI Macros for simplified data analysis.
• Day 3 – Analyze: Focus on root cause analysis, data collection strategies, and tools like scatter plots and hypothesis testing for identifying improvement areas.
• Day 4 – Improve/Control: Implement and sustain improvements with Kaizen events, Lean tools (5S, Kanban, etc.), leadership practices, and project updates, concluding with a certificate presentation.

Course Instructors

Luke Fuess joined TechHelp as a Client Manager in March 2023, bringing extensive experience in manufacturing management and operations. He played a key role in creating ICON’s 136,000 SqFt facility in Northern California, which deepened his passion for manufacturing. Luke's expertise spans Lean Methodology, Inventory Management, ERP Systems, Staffing, and Training, making him a valuable asset to Idaho manufacturers.

Steve Russ is a long-time Idaho resident who enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as an aviation armament and avionics technician on Marine rotary-wing aircraft. After his honorable discharge, he worked as a federal technician on UH-60 and AH-64 airframes. Following retirement from federal service, Steven earned a BS in Materials Science and Engineering from Boise State University and became a ceramics engineer at QTI Sensing Solutions, specializing in high-precision temperature sensors. His expertise spans product lifecycle management, R&D, and cost reduction initiatives, making him a valuable asset in production and new product development. Steve is a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and AS9100D auditor.

Dr. Janna Hamlett has 20 years of food manufacturing experience, serving as a Food Processing Specialist at TechHelp and Assistant Professor at UI Extension. She developed Idaho’s first Technical Bachelor’s program at CSI and has held leadership roles in cheese and whey processing. Certified in Six Sigma, OSHA, and HACCP, Janna excels in food safety, production, and operational efficiency.