Becoming a more qualified employee just got easier. Missouri Southern now offers the Six Sigma certification program for anyone wanting to improve on-the-job techniques.

Started by Motorola Corp., the Six Sigma program was designed to help maintain professional improvement. To indicate acheivement levels there are both Green and Black Belt skill levels

The certification for the Green and Black Belts will take place May 16-19.

It is being offered through the engineering and technology program.

Students learned how to include theories and methods in work projects, major businesses.

Elke Howe, industrial engineering technology advisor, said the program teaches a disciplined approach to problem solving.

In my industry, this is a very important certification right now,” said David Strawn of LaBarge. Inc.

Carol Koch of Hampshire Pet Products said her experience with the Six Sigma program has made her working experience much easier.

Mark Trail, of Jasper Products, will be receiving his Green Belt. He said the program was a great opportunity to better his skills.

“It brought me a lot of confidence and brought me up-to-date with the tools available,” Trail said. “This is executive-type studies.”

He said the most difficult part of the program was time-management skills.

For Strawn, the program has helped him make more “sound” decisions.

“Basically from an impulsive to more of a applying methodology or data-driven type decision,” he said.

“Doing this project as kind of a work thing is like killing two birds with one stone,” Trail said.

“They make it accessible for people like us who do work and do have families.”

Howe sent e-mails to some businesses encouraging them to get involved with the Six Sigma program.

To qualify for a Green Belt, seven credit hour projects are required. For a Black Belt certification, a 10 credit hour project is required.

Howe said the project can take up to six months to complete.

Howe said more than 20 people have already received their Green Belts

She said most of the requirements for the certification are part of the curriculum.