Six Sigma Certification is like a gold mine for both companies and individuals. But first, let’s go back to the very beginning.
In the past industries and manufacturing companies created products that passed on to the general use without the supervision of a keen eye.
Product reviews were based on quantity and not sustained quality. Mistakes and errors were difficult to find because there were no techniques to detect defects and improve product performance.
Even organizations were not left behind, the methodology of data analysis was missing.
Problem-solving tasks were hard to take head-on. Corrective measures were not established.
Yet, everything changed with the establishment of Six Sigma.
Six Sigma was developed in 1986 by Bill Smith. A Motorola Engineer saw the need to help improve the company’s techniques which didn’t meet the quality standards. The name was later trademarked by Motorola on December 28, 1993.
With the introduction of Six Sigma, companies and organizations now had the chance to increase product performance, and minimize errors in the manufacturing process.
So, learning Six Sigma is paramount in the impact of your career and business. Which gives birth to the Six Sigma Certification.
Also, having a Six Sigma Certification proves as evidence of sustained productivity capability and proficiency in improved analytical skills.
What is a Six Sigma Certification?
Six Sigma Certification is the authentication of a person’s ability to drive effective methods and approaches for quality and efficiency improvement.
Getting a Six Sigma Certification stands as a test of your proficiency. It requires a high level of experience and it’s awarded to an individual skilled in detecting defects and removing them.
Six Sigma has been the most widespread result-oriented improvement method adopted by both individuals, small businesses, and companies.
So, having a Six Sigma Certification is necessary for your career and professional development.
Reasons Why You Need a Six Sigma Certification.
Here are the reasons you need a six sigma certification.
#1. Help your organization correct defects and remove error
Six Sigma was originally created to minimize errors, so it is without a doubt that acquiring the Six Sigma Certification enables an individual to successfully analyze a company’s manufacturing process and business conducts.
With your certification, you can stand at the forefront of change for businesses. Establishing corrective measures, and reducing capital whilst producing effective results all become possible with your Six Sigma Certification.
#2. Maintain high business quality sustainability
As a Six Sigma Certification holder, whatever project your company undergoes would be greatly improved.
Your certification creates an opportunity to stay at the peak of maintaining a complete review of products, an improved level of quality sustainability, and a high impact of quality performance.
In fact, your certification shows that you have a big opportunity to take any business in need of your services to the top.
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#3. Improve credibility
Six Sigma is a relevant industry methodology and having a Six Sigma Certification enhances your credibility. This credibility is improved greatly by the number of projects you handle and the businesses you work for.
Having such credibility that outshines all is hard to ignore knowing the standard of Six Sigma.
You begin to get the attention of big organizations like banking and financial services, telecom, IT companies, aerospace, Government ministries, Human resources, etc.
With a Six Sigma Certification, you would easily position yourself as a person of change & power with such a high level of credibility.
#4. Career success
The opportunities that accompany having a Six Sigma Certification are too numerous to mention. It’s without a doubt that your career takes a big turn towards success.
So, imagine the connections you could build, the change you could impact every company you work with using your Six Sigma knowledge.
Your skill in executing projects can lift you to a great height of success because such skills are highly valued globally.
5. High Salary
Professionals in Six Sigma are well paid. The rigorous amount of work put into project work and the stress that comes with training, writing the exams, and passing is no joke.
So organizations know well to pay Six Sigma Certificate holders and professionals extremely high.
According to Glassdoor, individuals with Six Sigma Certification receive an annual salary of between $100,000 and $150,000. And are among the highest paid professionals globally.
The Six Sigma Certification Belt Levels
The Six Sigma Certification comes in different levels and should be recognized by well credible institutions.
These top credible institutions are the Council of Six Sigma Certification (CSSC), American Society For Quality (ASQ), International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC). Below are the certification levels.
#1. White Belt:
At this Six Sigma Certification level, you’d deal with the basic concept of Six Sigma. The history, culture, and practice of Six Sigma should be understandable at this level.
#2. Yellow Belt:
You do not need to be a white belt before becoming a yellow belt which significantly means that they all stand on their own.
At the yellow belt level, you would participate in improvement projects. Here, you should already have a fundamental knowledge of Six Sigma.
You should know your way around a project team and be able to participate in projects supervised by the Green & black belt.
#3. Green Belt:
This is the Six Sigma Certification that sets you apart for leadership. You should be capable of leading Six Sigma projects within the organization. The Green belt is able to identify problems, detect mistakes and provide solutions.
Green belt possesses the working knowledge of process improvements that Six Sigma is known for.
Six Sigma Green Belt certified personnel is supposed to be aware of all the Six Sigma tools and techniques under the “Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC)” framework of improvement.
#4. Black Belt:
These are the leaders themselves. Black belt leads project teams. They maintain project supervision and accountability.
Once you attain this level, you become a key pioneer in the company. You would define how project techniques should be carried on. Also, you will teach and train others.
#5. Master Black Belt:
This is the highest Six Sigma Certification level. This is a standard achievement even more than the Green belt because here, you would supervise both the green and black belt levels.
You must have achieved two projects at this level and can position yourself as a coach for others. You would also mold strategies and key values for maintaining productivity.
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How Much is a Six Sigma Certification
The cost of a Six Sigma Certification depends on each level and the training institute issuing the certification and training.
Here you’ll see the price of each level based on the three top recognized institute; the Council of Six Sigma Certification (CSSC), the American Society For Quality (ASQ), International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC).
White Belt
This is a beginning belt level. The cost of the white belt level is relatively low. And fortunately, CSSC offers it free. Including all study and exams material. Some organizations charge $100 for the training of this level
Note that ASQ and IASSC do not cover certification for this level.
Yellow Belt
For the Yellow belt level Six Sigma Certification, it is recommended for individuals interested in supporting projects and companies who would benefit from the Six Sigma technique.
For CSSC it is charged at $79 which is a bit less in contrast to ASQ charging $394 for non-members. While IASSC charges $149 for their yellow belt certification.
Green Belt
Due to the higher level of experience that the Green belt Sx Sigma Certification shows, it often comes with training and requirements to be met by different organizations before sitting for the exam.
For CSSC; The council offers the green belt certification in two ways. First is the standard Six Sigma Green Belt certification, and then an additional Green Belt II Certification for those who wish to further prove their proficiency in this level of Six Sigma. The Six Sigma Green Belt Certification through CSSC is $119.
For ASQ; ASQ members can take the exam for $338 and nonmembers can expect to pay $438 for the exam. Retakes are charged at $238.
For IASSC; training is advised but isn’t required for the green belt six sigma certification. The exam fee cost $295.
Black Belt
For the black belt, six sigma certification the CSSC charge $159 for the basic black belt level and $300 for the standard level II black belt certification.
For ASQ; to sit for the exam, ASQ members must pay $438 and non-members must pay $538.
For IASSC; they charge $365 to sit for their black belt certification exam.
Master Black Belt
This Master black belt six sigma certification requires a lot of value and cost as it is the highest level. And it cost $665 to sit for the exam. Other organizations and institutes offer prices at a close range to this.
How to get a Six Sigma Certification and How long it takes to be Certified
1. You must first understand which certification level is right for you:
Doing that is carefully studying the five levels. Note that the white & yellow belts are for individuals to be knowledgeable on the basic components of Six Sigma.
While the green and black belts are for individuals and organizations willing to lead projects and bring about change in their respective businesses and organizations.
2. Make available the basic requirements needed to get any level of certification.
These basic requirements include; valid identification (passport/driver’s license), passport photograph, personal & professional information, mailing address, keen interest in project management and quality control, etc.
Make sure you have them in order to apply for the certification of your choice.
3. Know the different prerequisites for each belt level.
The white and yellow belts come with no prerequisites attached. You can sit for the exams as long as you have a strong interest in business control and project management.
The exams run for roughly two hours and results would be sent between two to five days of writing the exam. But the green and black belts come with prerequisites attached.
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Prerequisites for Green Belt:
- At least three years experience in management.
- Must complete two or more projects to gain experience.
- You must undergo the Six Sigma Green Belt training to get the certification.
- You apply online and download an exam application for mailing.
- Exams run for three to four hours.
There is no limit to how many times you can retake an exam. However, you must retake it within two years of your last attempt. And a retaken fee is charged.
Prerequisites for Black Belt:
- You must have interest in leading projects.
- You must possess three years of experience in project management.
- Also, you need to complete two full projects.
- You also need signed affidavits for the projects.
Only then can you appear for the exams. The exams run for 3 hours. And your overall Six Sigma Certification can be over in two weeks.
Prerequisites for Master Black Belt:
- Willingness to attain the highest level of management in organizations.
- You need to be a Six Sigma Black Belt professional.
- You must have five years experience in project management.
- After applying, the training runs for 4 to 5 days, and a 3 hour exam.
In fifteen days to three weeks, you can get any Six Sigma Certification of your choice.
All it takes is your commitment, the right amount of preparation, and your zeal to see it through and you’d get your certification in a short period of time.
I’m sure you now understand the importance of Six Sigma and how beneficial getting your Six Sigma Certification for you as an individual and as an organization.
Go get yours.
Conclusion
I hope this article shows you all you need to know about six sigma certification and the steps on how to acquire it.
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