1	Knowledge Exploitation Fund eLean Project Information
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3	Presentation Contents KEF Background Project Aims Course Details Pilot Companies & Training Timing Contacts
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5	Knowledge Exploitation Fund Background (1) KEF recognises the need for industry to integrate new technologies & processes to stay in business:
6	Knowledge Exploitation Fund Background (2) KEF provides funding for the transfer of higher level knowledge, skills & ideas from academia to industry:
7	The Cardiff / Newport Project Project Title: “Providing Accessible eLearning in Sustainable Business Improvement Thinking & Practice for Welsh SMEs”
8	The Cardiff / Newport Project In a nutshell…
9	eLean Consortium LERC - Cardiff University (lead partner) University of Wales, Newport FE Colleges (4) Bridgend College Coleg Sir Gar Deeside College Coleg Meirion Dwyfor Pilot companies (30) Sector Skills councils SEMTA Wales E Training network
10	Lean Enterprise Research Centre Cardiff Business School Leading European/world authority on lean thinking Founded in 1994 by Dan Jones & Peter Hines c. 30 staff “Research, Apply & Communicate Lean Thinking” Innovative, leading-edge research programmes Applied & collaborative approach Broad range of educational programmes Research driven, focus on implementation Masters, Undergraduate, Short Courses, Executive levels
11	Project Funding Phase 1 To end July 2006 Develop materials, platform, capability Recruit companies Initiate Activity Phase 2 From Aug 2006 (12 months) Expand activity More companies More topics
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13	Project Rationale There is a need for SMEs to adopt leading edge business improvement techniques (BIT) There has been a low take up of such ideas among SMEs The use & role of web for training is increasing dramatically
14	Project Rationale There is a need for SMEs to adopt leading-edge BITs: To enhance customer value For improved quality, cost & delivery For innovation & continuous improvement To remain competitive – and stay in business
15	Project Rationale There has been a low take up of such principles & tools among SMEs, due to: The failure of ‘traditional’ intervention & support models A lack of resources for training (£, time, people) The culture of owners, eg attitudes to training
16	Project Rationale The use & role of web for training is increasing dramatically: More people & businesses online Greater personal capability using the web Massive amount of information available
17	Project Rationale: Conclusion But - key question: what is nature of its role? How far can it be relied upon? Should it be used with other forms of learning? What is the most appropriate course design? How effectively will people learn? What sort of support will they require?
18	Long Term Ambition Develop a sustainable elearning resource for business (esp SMEs) Lean thinking orientation Value adding, needs focused Flexible Relevant Cost effective
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20	Project Deliverables (1) The development & implementation of a business improvement technique training course: for delivery via the web focussing on practical tools & techniques covering core BIT subjects
21	Project Deliverables (2) An assessment & accreditation system Linkage to national standards Input via SEMTA Also including the use of LERC’s ‘Lean Competency System’ & the six themes of Six Sigma
22	Project Deliverables (3) A web based training platform Using ‘Blackboard’ VLE as the chief delivery vehicle
23	Project Deliverables (4) 30 manufacturing SMEs recruited for pilot training activity 25 in objective 1 areas, 5 in objective 3 areas with 1 to 20 employees per organisation trained
24	Project Deliverables (5) An evaluation & assessment report Including an ‘exit strategy’ plan for long term development and sustainability
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26	Modules & Units There will be 4 main modules developed Each module will comprise of 4 units Designed to represent the core BIT areas NB: additional 4 units to be developed in phase 2 Based on company feedback
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28	Training Activity: A Combination of… Screen based learning Password access to elearning system Assessments Networking activity Classroom training Follow up / complementary activities Eg Reading, website, practical exercises 20 – 40 hours training & follow up training activity per module With support & guidance from project staff
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30	Identifying Pilot Companies SMEs Must be: In an Objective 1 or Objective 3 location A Welsh manufacturing Small/Medium Enterprise Should have: Commitment to, ongoing, lean implementation Open minded to role of web in training Management buy-in to project Willing & capable staff volunteers (eg IT/web literate)
31	Objective 1 area map
32	Definition of an SME (European Union definition) This is a business, which meets all of the following criteria: has less than 250 employees has an annual turnover not exceeding €50m, (c. £35 m) or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €43m (c. £30 m) is independent i.e. less than 25 % of its capital or voting rights are owned by one enterprise, or jointly by several enterprises, which fail to meet any of the above points a) and b), although this threshold may be exceeded in the following two cases: if the business is held by public investment corporations, venture capital companies or institutional investors, provided no control is exercised either individually or jointly over it; if the capital is spread in such a way that it is not possible to determine by whom it is held and the business can legitimately declare that 25% or more of it is not owned by one enterprise or jointly by several enterprises falling outside the definition of a SME.
33	Benefits Improvement in skills & knowledge of lean thinking Application of tools & techniques No training fees! LERC ‘Lean Competency System’ qualification Opportunity to shape future thinking & development
34	Conditions of Participation Not too onerous! No fees or payments Staff time only cost No formal contract or agreement Free to withdraw/suspend participation at any time should circumstances dictate Good IT facilities, infrastructure
35	Working with Companies & Employees Piloting & research nature of the project Want to learn from participant's experiences Feedback & views important Iterative nature of training, eg
36	“Blended Learning” Where elearning is combined with more traditional forms of training Blended learning follows from the realisation that no single method of training, or media, be it in e-learning or any other form, can satisfy all of an organisations training and business needs Not just a question of only using the web! One of the key research questions to be addressed Will aim to complement web learning with other activities
37	Selecting Participants Middle/senior managers & supervisors Equivalent to NVQ level 4 NB - Flexibility on staff level to be trained Some lean knowledge preferable Using, about to use tools in workplace Motivated to learn Open minded about web for training Ability to use PC, internet/web
38	Outline Process for Company Participation Clarification meeting Staff Induction Session Training Activity Project evaluation & feedback
39	1. Clarification Meeting
40	2. Staff Induction Session
41	Company Action Plan: Contents Overall objectives for the company Agree learning outcomes Who’s involved in training Key topics to be covered for each Internal support roles Milestone dates of key activities Method of communication to & among participants Evaluation procedure
42	3. Training Activity
43	3. Training Activity
44	4. Evaluation & Review
45	Assessment Self assessments On line Eg Multiple choice tests End of training project /assignment Eg relating knowledge to implementation in the workplace
46	Timetable Identify & recruit pilot companies: 2006, early 2007 Training ‘induction’ from Q4 06 Training: from Q1 07 Evaluation: from Q2 07 Final report: 09/07
47	To join the Programme: Companies Should… Visit www.elean.co.uk Download & complete Registration Form Meet with project staff to discuss if necessary Key subsequent actions: Identify employee participants Identify date for induction session Develop company training action plan (all of which with project staff)
48	Other Participants Do you know of any other companies who would be interested in participating in the project?
49	Project Team Contacts Simon Elias (029) 2087 5080 eliass@cardiff.ac.uk Owen James (029) 2087 6572 jamesfo@cardiff.ac.uk Rob Sheddon r.shedden@btinternet.com