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Author: |
Oxfordholt |
Created: |
7/23/2008 3:31 PM |
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There seems to be a trend nowadays where consultants are arranging the training of production staff to NVQ level 2 standard in continuous improvement techniques on the basis that they can form improvement teams and solve operational problems. Initially, the staff like it because they are involved (and get some time off work!), the consultants like it, because they get paid, management like it, because industrial relations improve in the short term.
Obviously, if things are going well for the company, then any productivity gains will result in extra output. However, in these difficult times, are production staff genuinely going to improve efficiency - and see one of their colleagues loose his/her job? Do we also need the entire production workforce to be part-trained as pseudo Industrial Engineers?
Unless the training is put to some use and results are forthcoming, then could it be argued that the exercise it is NOT "lean" and is, in fact, creating the waste that the individuals are meant to be removi |