New training framework for lean manufacturing – an empirical study

Lean Manufacturing (LM) has been one of the centrepieces of manufacturing enterprises since Toyota has magnificently improved its manufacturing performance through implementing Toyota Production System (TPS). Moreover, it has been proven that LM is the manufacturing system that improves shop floor performances. Success stories of LM have led a large number of manufacturing companies to attempt to implement LM in order to improve their shop floor performance and retain competitiveness. However, LM is not an easy system to adapt. Implementing lean manufacturing is a never ending continuous task. Training is known as a vehicle to assist the implementation process. This paper summarises the overview of LM and workforce issues within lean environment. It then addresses the result of questionnaire survey which carried out within UK-based manufacturing companies. Finally, it proposes a training framework to train the production workers in lean environment