Lean Academy course
Practical Lean/TPS training for better processes and stronger leadership
This course translates Lean principles into practical behavior, better decision-making and improvements that become visible in daily work. The focus is on understanding, practicing and applying in your own context.
Built on practical experience with Lean/TPS, operations and improvement programs.
Clear connection between principles, tools, behavior and management routines.
Relevant for professionals who want to apply Lean in real processes.
Description
This Green Belt to Black Belt in Lean Upgrade Program is designed for professionals who passed our Green Belt in Leantheory exam and want to progress to Black Belt in Lean level of the broadest and most in-depth Lean training and certification program in Europe, with content staying as close as possible to the Toyota Production System (TPS) and the Toyota Way.
It focuses exclusively on the (advanced) Black Belt in Lean modules 2 to 4. Participants deepen their expertise in advanced Lean techniques, Lean organizational design and Six Sigma tools supporting Lean.
The program assumes a solid understandig of our Green Belt In Lean knowledge and immediately starts with more in depth knowledge for complex and realistic value stream design in manufacturing/supply chain/office/service.
Objective: develop Green Belts into Lean leaders capable of designing, leading and sustaining complex improvement initiatives.
Prerequisites
It is Mandatory having a solid foundation in Lean at the Green Belt in Lean level.
Participants from our Lean Academy Green Belt in Lean program must have passed the GB in Lean theory exam.
Participants from other Green Belt in Lean programs must first pass the Lean Academy Green Belt in Lean theory exam (cost 250€ including one retry) before they get access to the Lean Academy Black Belt in Lean modulesBasic statistical knowledge is recommended for the supporting Six Sigma module
Benefits
After completing this upgrade program, participants are able to support the implementation of Lean as a business strategy at all levels and in all environments. Not just as a set of tools, but also implementing essential buidling blocks to support the transformation towards a Lean organisation.
You will:
✓ Upgrade your Green Belt in Lean knowlegde expertise to Black Belt in Lean level
✓ Analyze and redesign complex value streams in all environments
✓ Lead cross-functional Lean transformations at all levels for delivering more value to the customer (external but also internal), with higher quality, in a shorter lead time and at a lower cost.
✓ Understand what is needed to support the transformation towards a true continuous improvement (Kaizen) culture
✓ Work with real-life cases, seasoned trainers with lots of practical experience (some even as Master trainer within Toyota) and peer learning
✓ Obtain an official Black Belt in Lean certification (ISO 9001:2015)
Target audience
This program is intended for:
- Participants with solid Green Belt Lean knowledge aiming to progress further
- Lean practitioners with responsibility at value stream or organizational level
- Managers, engineers and Lean coaches seeking greater impact
- Professionals in manufacturing, services, offices and healthcare
Not suitable for beginners. Designed for committed practitioners.
Trainers
Program director en eigenaar van Lean Academy
Dirk Van Goubergen
Prof. dr. ir Dirk van Goubergen has more than 30 years of practical and academic experience in the field of industrial engineering, operations management, lean/operational excellence and value stream design. He worked in all continents with leaders at all levels and employees for companies such as Toyota, Volvo, Mars, Philips, Amazon, Daikin, TE Connectivity, Johnson&Johnson, Delphi Technologies and many others.
Vice President Manufacturing Engineering bij Volvo Cars
Luc Semeese
Luc has an extensive career at Volvo Cars, with a background in Logistics, Engineering, global Supplier Quality, and as Plant Manager in Chengdu (China). He speaks about improving flow in internal support processes and material delivery.
Senior expert in sustainability en quality
Dirk Inghels
Prof.dr.ir. Dirk Inghels is a passionate leader and entrepreneur with a unique mix of scientific depth and practical business experience. With a strong background in engineering, quality, EHS, and sustainable operations, he helps companies turn complex challenges into concrete, long-term solutions. His expertise bridges academic research and real-world practice, combining strategic insight with hands-on impact.
Sr. Trainer/Coach bij Van Goubergen P&M - Lean Academy
Raf Mues
Raf is a certified master trainer in Toyota Global Content and TPS courses, including TBP (Toyota Business Practices), Hoshin Kanri, A3/PDCA Thinking. Before joining the Lean Academy, he lived and breathed TPS and the Toyota Way for almost 30 years at Toyota Motor Europe where he held several operational management roles, including leading and supporting Kaizen initiatives across warehouse operations.
Head of EMEA CAR T Operations bij Johnson & Johnson
Bart Van Waeyenberge
Bart is a member of the Beerse Campus Management Committee, the Board of Directors of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, and the Board of Directors of ETiON, the Belgian entrepreneurs’ organization. He has held various local and international positions in Europe and the U.S. in fields such as process industry, automation, operations, supply chain, and business excellence. He shares the story of how the Lean journey began within Janssen Pharmaceutica.
Lean Manager bij Mars Food Europe
Patrick Wilms
Patrick has nearly thirty years of experience working on Lean at Mars, formerly Masterfoods. He brings practical expertise in improving standards and developing leadership through Daily Management.
Certification
Theory Exam
✓ Black Belt in Lean – 50 multiple choice questions (90 minutes)
✓ Includes 1 re-examination
Practical Exam
✓ Implementation and defense of a Lean improvement initiative at value stream level
✓ Defense before a jury of Lean leaders and experts
✓ Includes 1 re-examination
Administrative fee for additional exams: €250 per exam.
Practical details and subsidies
Discounts
Organisations registering multiple participants for the same trainings sessions on the same dates benefit from the following reductions:
Second participant: 5%
Third participant: 10%
Fourth and subsequent participants: 15%
Subsidies
For participants from Flanders (Belgium):
This training is recognized by the Flemish government for KMO Portefeuille and VOV (Vlaams Opleidingsverlof)
KMO Portefeuille Registration Number Van Goubergen P&M : DV.O100454 (‘Personeelsmanagement’)
Number of Training Hours : 84 Hours – Maximum subsidy amount : 5.695 euro
Registration Number of this training for Vlaamse opleidingsincentives (VOV): ODB-0003205
Click here for more information
For participants from food industry (Belgium):
This training is also supported by Alimento/IPV for organisations in food industry in Belgium.
Please indicate on the registration form which subsidies you apply for.
Drinks and Meal
Cold and hot drinks are included in the training fee.
A light meal is served around 16:45.
Sessions typically run from 13:30 to 20:30, unless otherwise stated.
Location
The training takes place at Roosenberg, Patotterijstraat 1, 9250 Waasmunster, where free parking is available, unless otherwise stated.
Optional
Individual Coaching (optional)
€400 excl. VAT for 4 sessions of 30 minutes
On-site or online
During or after the training
Contact
Feel free to contact us for
questions related to our
training. You can also check out
our FAQ.
Are you looking for in-company
training? Drop us a message on
academy@vangoubergen.com
and we will get back to you.
Frequently asked questions about this Lean course
Use these answers to quickly assess whether this course fits your role, level and context.
Who is this Lean course for?
It is designed for professionals, managers and teams who want to understand Lean/TPS and apply it in their own processes and improvement challenges.
Can this course be organized in-company?
Yes. Lean Academy can organize courses in-company and align content with your processes, cases, language, pace and organizational maturity.
How do I choose the right Lean course?
Choose Green Belt for a broad practical foundation, Black Belt for deeper transformation and leadership, Hoshin Kanri for strategy execution and TBP for structured problem solving.
