OTU partner program, instructor: Stacey Smyth
Yellow Belt
Lean Yellow Belt Certification
Build a solid foundation in Lean tools and techniques. Yellow Belt develops the capability to identify and make small improvements in your work area.
Belt graduates from leading organizations
Investment
$985 CAD + applicable taxes
Group pricing available for organizational cohorts.
Training funding
You may qualify for up to $815 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 Yellow Belt cohorts you can join
Public cohorts open to individual enrollment. Each runs live online; instructor-led with fixed dates. No employer sponsor required.
CCA-recognised, builds on White Belt
Lean QI Yellow Belt (CCA)
View Program →Public Health focus, White Belt prerequisite
Lean Sigma Yellow Belt for Public Health
View Program →About this program
What is the Yellow Belt?
The Lean Yellow Belt is a standalone 16-hour program that builds hands-on capability with core Lean tools and techniques. Participants develop the skills to identify waste, map processes, and make small improvements in their own work area. Yellow Belt is a complete program on its own, with no prerequisites. A 60-minute exam is required for certification.
Curriculum
Program Themes
The full program is delivered across 6 modules. The themes below summarize the scope; detailed topic outlines are available in the program brochure.
Lean Principles in Practice
The five Lean principles, the eight wastes (DOWNTIME), and how to identify waste and value in real workflows across any sector.
Mapping the Work
Process mapping, swimlane diagrams, spaghetti diagrams, and an introduction to current- and future-state value stream maps.
Core Lean Tools
5S workplace organization, visual management, standard work, mistake-proofing (poka-yoke), and pull systems, with applied workplace examples.
Problem Solving and Sustaining Improvements
5 Whys, fishbone diagrams, the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, Kaizen events, and how to prioritize and sustain improvements with measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
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.
Featured instructor
Stacey Smyth
Lean Black Belt, M.Ed, ASQ Certified Quality Auditor, APICS CSCP
20+ years applying Lean across healthcare, government, and private sector. Leads the OTU-partnered Yellow Belt cohort and brings practical, immediately applicable facilitation to every group.
Meet the full LEA team →Also on the instructor bench
Callie Nicholson
Lean Trainer and Consultant
Krista Galic
Lean Sigma Black Belt, RN, MPH, Prosci Certified Change Practitioner
Peter Martins
Lean Consultant and Trainer
Want the complete program details?
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Ready to put this into practice?
OTU-partnered · Canada Job Grant funding may cover up to two-thirds of your costs
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Flexibility
Delivery Options
Instructor-led (in-person or virtual)
2 full days delivered live on-site or live online. Minimum participant numbers apply. Best for team cohorts.
Self-paced (online)
Participants have up to 8 weeks to complete modules at their own pace.
Blended
Self-paced pre-work combined with a live instructor-led workshop.
What you walk away with
Practical capability, not just theory
Apply 5+ Lean Tools
Use process mapping, root cause analysis, 5 Whys, Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA), and 5S workplace organization in your own work area from the first week back.
Map and Improve Processes
Build current-state and future-state maps, identify bottlenecks, and design targeted improvements.
Make Small Improvements
Identify and act on improvement opportunities in your own work area using the tools and techniques learned in the program.
OTU Credential (add-on)
Opt into OTU university partnership for a recognized academic credential. Additional certification fee applies.
Recognized
Your Credentials & Recognition
Ontario Tech University (OTU)
OTU-partnered Yellow Belt certificate awarded upon successful completion of coursework and a 60-minute exam. Recognized by employers across Canada.
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
Yellow Belt is a standalone program with no prerequisites. It is a complete credential on its own, and also provides a strong foundation for those continuing to Green Belt or Black Belt.
Sectors
Sector-Specific Training Available
Healthcare
Yellow Belt using patient flow, clinical process mapping, and healthcare waste examples.
Local Government
Public sector Yellow Belt with service delivery, permit, and case management case studies.
Manufacturing
Yellow Belt for production teams: line flow, changeover, and quality improvement.
Long-term Care
Yellow Belt adapted for LTC: resident care processes, scheduling, and supply workflows.
Construction
Yellow Belt for construction: site logistics, rework reduction, and material flow.
Financial Services
Yellow Belt for financial services: transaction processing, onboarding, and compliance workflows.
What participants say
Trusted by professionals across Canada
I am finding the group discussions super helpful — exploring and debating the material with peers adds a lot to the learning.
Real-life examples throughout helped to solidify the information. All very new to me but I found it very helpful!
An awesome training experience — very engaging and knowledgeable. Loved all the great examples that helped us understand the different tools and strategies.
Sourced from participant feedback surveys. Names withheld for privacy.
Real Project Examples
See What Belt Graduates Achieve
Case Study
Yellow Belt Project: 5S PPE Room Transformation
A real Yellow Belt project storyboard showing 5S applied in a workplace setting, with before/after results.
Download PDF ↓
Case Study
Yellow Belt Project: Improving Job Postings at the City of Kitchener
A municipal Yellow Belt project improving HR workflows, with process map and outcomes.
Download PDF ↓
Case Study
Yellow Belt Project: Building Permit Model Review
A Yellow Belt process review of building permit workflows in a Canadian municipality.
Download PDF ↓Free Resource
Lean Yellow Belt Program Guide
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Apply Lean to Real Problems in Your Workplace
Book a call to discuss Yellow Belt enrollment for yourself or your team. We will help you choose the right delivery format and sector-specific program. Canada Job Grant covers up to two-thirds of training costs in most provinces. Additional provincial programs may apply. Ask us about eligibility.
FAQ
Common questions
No. Yellow Belt is a standalone program with no prerequisites. White Belt awareness is helpful but not required.
Yes. A 60-minute exam is required for Yellow Belt certification. No improvement project is required at this level.
16 hours of instruction. Typically delivered as 2 full days instructor-led, or up to 8 weeks self-paced online.
Yes. We regularly deliver Yellow Belt for organizational cohorts, which builds shared capability and a common language for improvement. Group pricing is available.
We deliver Yellow Belt across healthcare, government, manufacturing, long-term care, construction, financial services, and more. Sector-specific versions use relevant case studies and examples.