Which Six Sigma Certification Is Most Recognized in Canada?

There are many reasons to take up six sigma courses and many different Six Sigma Certification programs available to suit all levels of employees, no matter what their job title or level. Most companies do not recognize or approve the six sigma certification of those who have already taken the training. Six Sigma Training and Certification should be open to everyone, even if they have a lower level of training or certification. This keeps the Six Sigma trained feeling as fresh as possible and the best for everyone. A company that feels that its staff members have taken the Six Sigma courses will be much less likely to feel the need to hire and retain new employees with a lower level of Six Sigma Certification than those with higher Six Sigma Education and Experience. Let’s take a look at which six sigma courses are recognized in Canada.

In Canada most companies will ask employees to take an accepted Six Sigma Training and Certification course before being offered a job with the company. Taking a Six Sigma course and then applying to work for a company usually won’t do the trick. If you are looking to get a six sigma certification in Canada then you need to apply to an approved provider. Approval is given by an independent firm who verifies that the six sigma courses and training were completed and passed. It is not a requirement to have a six sigma certification in Canada.

Which six sigma courses are recognized in Canada? The most popular six sigma courses include Black Belt, Green Belt, Associate or Master Black Belt, Team or Group Black Belt, and Master Green Belt. Most Six Sigma training classes also include specialized or elective modules that are recognized by Six Sigma International. Some Six Sigma training companies also offer certificates for specific industries that are certified by Six Sigma International.

Does everyone who completes a six sigma training class automatically become a Six Sigma Professional? No. Six Sigma is a complex topic and each person who completes six sigma training will be prepared differently for the job they are seeking. You must complete an approved training course and then complete the relevant tests and get certified by a recognized Six Sigma Accrediting Company in order to work as a Six Sigma professional.

Can anyone become a Six Sigma professional? The answer to the above question is: yes. In fact, most Six Sigma professionals today started out as interns or associates at a local company. You do not necessarily have to have an extensive six sigma training background in order to obtain Six Sigma certification in Canada.

What is the most common certification that is offered in Canada? Six Sigma Black Belt training is offered by some of the larger and more prestigious six sigma training institutions and training centers. Black Belts are considered to be employees of an outsourcing firm and receive one-on-one supervision from a black belt instructor. A Six Sigma Black Belt is usually hired after working in the customer service area for a while and then specializing in six sigma projects. Black Belts are certified in the areas of management and accounting and will receive extensive training in Six Sigma principles and applications.

Do I need a Master’s Degree in order to be certified? As with most industries, Six Sigma requires at least an entry level, graduate level degree. However, if your career goal is to become a Six Sigma Black Belt then you do not necessarily need a Master’s degree in order to achieve this goal. The majority of companies in Canada that offer Six Sigma training and certification do not require a Master’s degree, but most of the courses take longer and require much more concentration than a normal college course. Therefore, you should plan on spending two years, at the very least, on a course of study that will enable you to become a Six Sigma Black Belt. You can also find companies offering Six Sigma projects online, allowing you to complete your Master’s degree or certification in as little as 18 months.

Will my employer support me if I go ahead and get a Six Sigma certification? Even though Six Sigma has become popular recently, many companies still have their way of thinking about Six Sigma. Your employer may believe that a Six Sigma project is not relevant to their company and so they will not offer any support for your certification. However, if your supervisor is knowledgeable about Six Sigma projects and supports your goal then certainly your employer will support your decision to take a Six Sigma course.