Green Belt

Lean Green Belt Certification

Lead structured improvement projects from problem to sustained solution. Green Belt is the inflection point where practitioners become project leaders.

Duration 85 Hours (8-12 Weeks)
Format Virtual · Blended · In-Person
OTU Cert. Available (add-on)
Level Project Leadership
3,000+ Professionals trained
20+ Years of experience
12+ Industry sectors served

Belt graduates from leading organizations

Investment

$2,700 CAD + applicable taxes

Group pricing available for organizational cohorts.

Cancellation policy applies →

Training funding

You may qualify for up to $2,225 back.

Canadian employer-funded training programs (Canada-Ontario Job Grant, BC ETG, NEI for nursing, and other provincial and sector grants) may cover a significant portion of tuition for eligible employers and learners.

See if you qualify →

Funding is administered by federal, provincial, and sector agencies, not by Leading Edge Associates. Program availability, eligibility, and reimbursement rates change. See the funding page for current program status.

Open enrollment cohorts

Upcoming Green Belt cohorts you can join

Public cohorts open to individual enrollment. Each runs live online; instructor-led with fixed dates. No employer sponsor required.

ALA partner, RTO 41012, BSB50820 Diploma

Lean QI Green Belt (ALA)

  • July 6 to 22, 2026
  • Live virtual, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM AEST
  • $3,250 + GST per person
View Program →

CCA-recognised, project-based

Lean QI Green Belt (CCA)

  • November 23 to December 2, 2026
  • Live virtual, 1:00 to 4:30 PM EST
  • $1,750 to $2,000 + HST
View Program →

Public Health focus, instructor: Krista Galic

Lean Sigma Green Belt for Public Health

  • November 23 to December 2, 2026
  • Live virtual, 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM ET
  • $1,695 CAD + tax
View Program →

About this program

What is the Green Belt?

The Lean Green Belt is a standalone 85-hour certification with no prerequisites. It trains participants to plan, lead, and deliver structured improvement projects. Green Belts are the engine of continuous improvement in any organization: they run projects, coach colleagues, and translate leadership priorities into measurable results. The program combines project management, change management, and facilitation skills. Assessment requires a real workplace improvement project and a 100-minute exam. The program is also available as self-paced online learning with on-demand expert mentoring. Participants have up to 6 months to complete.

Curriculum

Program Themes

The full program is delivered across 11 modules. The themes below summarize the scope; detailed topic outlines are available in the program brochure.

Foundations and Project Setup

Lean principles, value, and waste, plus how to charter a project using problem statements, SMART objectives, SIPOC, Voice of the Customer, A3, and the DMAIC and PDCA frameworks.

Current-State Analysis

Gemba walks, data collection and graphical analysis, swimlane process mapping, value stream mapping, and key measures including cycle time, takt time, lead time, and WIP.

Root Cause and Improvement Techniques

5 Whys, fishbone, Pareto, Kaizen events, 5S workplace organization, kanban and pull, cellular flow, work balancing, Theory of Constraints, SMED, and future-state value stream design.

Leading Change and Sustaining Results

Change management (ADKAR), project management, control plans, standard work, visual management, mistake-proofing, and FMEA to embed and sustain improvements.

Meet your instructors

Delivered by a rotating bench of certified Lean and Black Belt practitioners

LEA cohorts are not one-instructor classrooms. We staff each session from a bench of certified trainers and coaches so participants benefit from a range of sector experience. Here is who you are likely to learn from.

Also on the instructor bench

Chris Chadwick Chris Chadwick Lean Trainer and Consultant
Shrikant Kelkar Shrikant Kelkar Consultant and Strategic Executive Advisor
Stacey Smyth Stacey Smyth Lean Black Belt, M.Ed, ASQ Certified Quality Auditor, APICS CSCP

Want the complete program details?

Download Brochure
Ready to put this into practice? OTU-partnered · Canada Job Grant funding may cover up to two-thirds of your costs
Enroll Now Request Info

Flexibility

Delivery Options

Instructor-led (in-person or virtual)

Weekly live sessions over 8 to 12 weeks with a cohort group. Minimum participant numbers apply.

Self-paced online with on-demand mentoring

Complete modules at your own pace with expert mentoring available on demand. Participants have up to 6 months to complete.

Blended

Self-paced online modules combined with live instructor-led sessions for project workshops and coaching.

What you walk away with

Practical capability, not just theory

Lead Improvement Projects

Plan, execute, and close structured improvement projects with measurable results.

Coach Colleagues

Develop others: facilitate workshops, give project feedback, and build improvement capability across your team.

Deliver Measurable Results

Complete a real improvement project with quantifiable outcomes: cost savings, cycle time reduction, or quality improvement.

OTU Credential (add-on)

Add an OTU-partnered Green Belt certificate recognized by employers across Canada and internationally. Additional fee applies.

Recognized

Your Credentials & Recognition

Ontario Tech University (OTU)

OTU-partnered Green Belt certificate. Internationally recognized and respected by Canadian and global employers. Assessment: workplace improvement project and a 100-minute exam.

The OTU certificate of completion is an optional add-on. A separate OTU certification fee applies in addition to the training cost. For a cohort where certification is bundled, see our Open Enrollment program.

Certification pathway

Belt Pathway

Green Belt is a standalone program with no prerequisites. It is also the prerequisite for Black Belt. Green Belts are typically the most active improvement practitioners in an organization: leading projects, facilitating workshops, and coaching colleagues.

What participants say

Trusted by professionals across Canada

Very professional and very knowledgeable delivery. I am very inspired and excited to be on the Lean journey.

Municipal Green Belt participant

It already has improved my work. I discovered my current job involves monitoring the control phase of several projects, which makes my goals much more clear. I also have a much better idea of how to manage a project.

Green Belt participant

Training was all in person. The balance of instruction and smaller group activities was very effective for learning.

Green Belt participant

Sourced from participant feedback surveys. Names withheld for privacy.

Real Project Examples

See What Belt Graduates Achieve

Case Study

Green Belt Project Example: Chemically Hazardous Laboratory Waste Disposal

A real Green Belt project storyboard showing Lean applied to laboratory waste management, with measurable impact.

Download PDF ↓
Case Study

Lean Green Belt Project Example Storyboard

A sample Green Belt project storyboard illustrating the project methodology, tools used, and results achieved.

Download PDF ↓
Case Study

Healthcare Green Belt Project Examples

A collection of real Green Belt improvement projects from Canadian healthcare organizations.

Download PDF ↓

Free Resource

Lean Green Belt Program Guide

Enter your details below and we will send the PDF directly to your inbox.

Lead Improvement Projects That Deliver Real Results

Book a call to discuss Green Belt enrollment. We will help you choose the right delivery format, sector stream, and funding pathway. Canada Job Grant covers up to two-thirds of Green Belt costs in most provinces. Alberta, BC, and other provincial programs may also apply. Contact us to confirm eligibility before enrolling.

FAQ

Common questions

There are no prerequisites for Green Belt. It is a standalone program. Prior Lean experience is helpful but not required.

85 hours of instruction. Instructor-led delivery is typically 8 to 12 weeks. Self-paced participants have up to 6 months to complete.

Assessment is based on a real workplace improvement project and a 100-minute exam. The project should be scoped to a process within your organization.

For organizational delivery, yes. For open enrollment cohorts, participants should have access to a work environment where they can conduct their improvement project.

Yes. OTU-partnered certificates are respected by employers across Canada, the US, the UK, and internationally. The curriculum aligns with global Lean Six Sigma standards.

Yes. We offer Green Belt programs with sector-specific case studies and projects for healthcare, government, manufacturing, and other industries. Contact us to discuss the right version for your context.

Yes. The Canada Job Grant covers up to two-thirds of training costs in most provinces. Provincial equivalents (ATBF in Alberta, ITA ETS in BC, etc.) may also apply. Ask us about eligibility before booking.

Green Belt certification badge
Green Belt OTU Partner Program