Lean Manufacturing Bootcamps at the University of Kentucky

Lean Manufacturing Boot Camps are immersion learning experiences for 18 students built upon hands-on, discovery-learning exercises where concepts introduced in the classroom are immediately applied. These exercises involve training factories, simulations, and field activities at manufacturers. Each boot camp integrates two 3-credit classes. For example, in Boot Camp 1, students learn about the lean production philosophy and basic technical tools in one class while they learn teamwork, employee motivation, structured problem solving, and lean approaches to management and leadership in a second class. These concepts are then integrated and practiced in two major training factory exercises. Teaching assistants and lab managers are present, coaching and encouraging the students from early in the morning till late at night, seven days a week.

Due to limited enrollment, students will be selected for the program. Students interested in the program should submit a short "application" describing their interest in the program and career interests and contact information. Submissions should be made to Rose Cramer, RMB210 (859-257-6262 ext 212).

The boot camps are designed to instill thorough, practical knowledge of lean systems and tools and to develop the students as change leaders in organizations with competence in both hard and soft skills. The goal is for the students to be able to teach, coach, motivate and lead people on the shop floor to create lean operations; to embed the full extent of everyone's collective expertise in the technology of those operations, to insure the system operates under high control; to create a safe, satisfying, and rewarding workplace for everyone; and to learn, improving the production system as time goes on.

The boot camp courses can be applied towards an MSMSE in Manufacturing Systems Engineering. This includes a dual-degree program where co-op undergraduate engineering students can concurrently work on a B.S. in their engineering discipline and an MSMSE in Manufacturing Systems Engineering.

Undergraduate students should have Junior standing or above to take classes at the 500 and above level. In most cases, undergraduate engineering students can apply some of the lean manufacturing coursework towards their undergraduate degree (such as through a technical elective). (Students should discuss with their advisors or DUGS regarding their particular case.) Undergraduate students may also apply courses towards a graduate MS through a University Scholars program or dual-degree program. (Note: Students must be accepted for admission by the Graduate School to the University Scholar's Program or Dual-Degree program, prior to enrolling in courses in which they anticipate graduate credit. For details on the steps to do this, students must discuss prior with Prof. Holloway or Prof. Jawahir).

To learn more about the theory, terminology, and how this is practiced at one of the Lean Pioneers, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, please look at their website (this is an outside link.  You will be leaving the University of Kentucky/Engineering Rocks websites).