Training Within Industry Background
In June 1940, following the invasion of Nazi forces into France, the United States recognized that its involvement in World War II was becoming inevitable. A report prepared at the request of the U.S. Army revealed that there were 8 million unemployed people in the country at that time. A significant concern was that entering the war would require drafting most American men of working age into the military, many of whom were employed in industry.
To address the impending labor shortage in essential industries, the TWI program was developed with the aim of integrating individuals who had never worked in production before. This included women, men not eligible for the draft, and administrative personnel. The program sought to rapidly develop a new, talented workforce to boost productivity, quality, and workplace safety.
Core Objectives and Skills
The TWI program focuses on developing three essential managerial skills among leaders and experienced employees:
- Skills in Instructing: Enhancing the skills of supervisors to train workers effectively, ensuring tasks are performed correctly and efficiently.
- Skills in Improving (Kaizen): Empowering employees to continuously seek improvements in work processes for greater efficiency and effectiveness.
- Skills in Leading: Developing leadership skills that foster positive relationships between management and staff, promoting a collaborative and motivated work environment.
The program was specifically directed at experienced workers rather than newly hired individuals. The premise was that while experienced employees possess knowledge about their work and responsibilities gained through years of practice, they need to cultivate these three key managerial skills. TWI provides practical tools to assist supervisors in managing their teams more effectively.
TWI JI Certification – Job Instruction (JI) Method
At the heart of TWI is the Job Instructions (JI) module, which is designed to train supervisors on how to instruct workers effectively. The method emphasizes:
- Creating Clear Work Instructions: Developing precise and easy-to-understand instructions for tasks.
- Managing Competencies through Competency Matrices: Utilizing matrices to track and manage employee skills and competencies.
- The Four-Step Method of Instruction: A structured approach that includes preparation, presentation, performance tryout, and follow-up to ensure employees learn tasks efficiently.
Below is presented original TWI JI Pocket Card that was used for a certification of TWI Practitioners.
TWI JI Certification – Original Job Instructions Pocket Card
The Difference Between Certification and Attestation
When it comes to professional development courses, understanding the distinction between a certificate and a confirmation is crucial.
- Confirmation: This is often a document that confirms attendance or completion of a course. It does not necessarily validate the individual’s competence or mastery of the subject matter.
- Certification: A certification, on the other hand, is an official recognition that an individual has met specific competency standards. It usually involves a rigorous assessment process, including practical evaluations, to verify that the person possesses the required skills and knowledge.
In the Lean Community, there is a preference for courses that offer certifications over mere confirmations, as certifications provide a tangible validation of one’s abilities and expertise.
Criteria for Choosing the Best TWI JI Certification Course
Selecting the right TWI JI certification course involves evaluating several key factors. We have established five criteria, each rated on a scale from 0 to 1, to assess the quality and effectiveness of these courses. The maximum score a course can achieve is 5.0.
- Course Content (0-1): Assess whether the course covers the essential aspects of TWI JI, including the creation of work instructions, competency management through skill matrices, and the four-step method of instructing employees. Courses offering valuable insights into implementing these methods score higher.
- Trainers’ Expertise (0-1): Evaluates if the course is conducted by trainers with practical industry experience. Courses led by practitioners who have real-world experience in applying TWI principles are rated higher than those led solely by consultants without hands-on industry exposure.
- Pricing (0-1): Considers the cost of the course relative to its duration and quality. Courses that offer excellent value for money without compromising on content and delivery receive higher scores.
- Practical Application (0-1): Looks at the extent of practical exercises included in the course. Programs that prioritize hands-on practice, allowing participants to apply what they’ve learned and receive feedback, are rated more favorably.
- Certification Validity (0-1): Determines whether the course meets the standards of a certified program. This involves assessing the balance between theoretical knowledge and practical application to ensure participants are genuinely competent upon completion.
Each course is meticulously analyzed based on these criteria, allowing prospective learners to make informed decisions and choose a program that best suits their professional development needs.
Ranking of the Best TWI JI Certification Courses
Below, we present a ranking of TWI JI Certifications courses according to the Lean Community. This ranking, conducted by our team, aims to assist manufacturing professionals in choosing the best course that can develop their skills in standardized work and TWI JI.
Leantrix: TWI Job Instructions Practitioner Course
TWI Job Instruction Practitioner
Our rating of TWI JI Certification Course: 4.8/5,0
This course offers practical solutions through standardized work instructions and effective on-the-job training.
Who Is This Course For?
- Supervisors, Operators, HR, and Lean Managers responsible for training and employee development.
Key Benefits:
- Create effective SOPs and Work Instructions.
- Learn to deliver efficient training.
- Manage employee skills with competency matrices.
- Receive individual feedback and certification.
Duration: 7 weeks
Price: €890 / $990 net per person
Ratings:
- Course Content: 1.0
Covers all necessary modules for training, including creating instructions, competency matrices, and instructing. Applicable across various processes. Comprehensive and intensive course. - Trainers’ Expertise: 1.0
Delivered by industry experts from multiple countries. Includes trainers with TWI JI experience and authorship in standardized work. Each module is led by a trainer with industrial experience. - Pricing: 0.8
The course is priced under $1,000. - Practical Application: 1.0
The course is practice-based and intensive, with sessions for discussing projects. - Certification Validity: 1.0
Certification is awarded only after the submission of projects and consultation with the trainer.
TWI Institute: TWIST Job Instruction Skills Building
TWIST Job Instruction Skills Building
Our rating of TWI JI Certification Course: 4.2/5,0
Overview:
This 5-day course (2 hours per day) is offered in multiple languages and primarily led by a single trainer. The 10-hour TWI Job Instruction course teaches how to instruct operators to quickly and accurately perform tasks by identifying the “one best way” and creating a standard method. The course helps reduce training time, scrap, and accidents, while increasing job satisfaction and creating a foundation for continuous improvement.
Duration: 5 days
Price: $1,350
Ratings:
- Course Content: 0.9
Covers essential modules for effective job instruction. - Trainers’ Expertise: 0.8
Experienced trainer, but only one, limiting diverse perspectives. - Pricing: 0.7
Priced above $1,300. - Practical Application: 0.9
Focuses on training examples rather than real production scenarios. - Certification Validity: 0.9
Certification is granted, but seems more participation-based, though case studies are required during the course.
Lean Frontiers: 10-Hour Job Instruction Class
10-Hour Job Instruction Class
Our rating of TWI JI Certification Course: 3.6/5,0
Overview:
This 3-day, 10-hour course is priced under $1,000 and led by a single trainer. It provides foundational Job Instruction (JI) training to develop the “one best way” of performing tasks and teach it to others. By standardizing processes, JI builds stability and supports continuous improvement initiatives like kaizen and lean. The program includes hands-on observation and coaching to ensure the implementation of TWI JI in your organization.
Duration: 3 days
Price: Under $1,000
Ratings:
- Course Content: 0.7
Covers essential modules but lacks sufficient practice. - Trainers’ Expertise: 0.8
Experienced trainer, though limited to one perspective. - Pricing: 0.8
Priced below $1,000. - Practical Application: 0.8
Focuses on training examples. - Certification Validity: 0.5
Certification feels more like a formality rather than solid confirmation of skills.
QSG: Training Within Industry (TWI) Job Instruction (JI)
TWI JI Certification Training Within Industry (TWI) Job Instruction (JI)
Our rating of TWI JI Certification Course: 3.0/5,0
Overview
Event Details:
- Duration: 12.5 hours (5 sessions, 2.5 hours each)
- Time: 1:30pm – 4:00pm (ET)
- Format: Virtual via Zoom
- Participants receive a guide, TWI JI card, and forms by mail. Certification is provided for participants who complete a demonstration and attend all sessions.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will learn how to set the stage for instruction, demonstrate tasks effectively, coach trainees, and taper off supervision with follow-up.
Price: Over $1,000
Ratings:
- Course Content: 0.8
Covers key topics using TWI Institute materials. - Trainers’ Expertise: 0.5
Trainers are not clearly identified but likely from the TWI Institute. - Pricing: 0.8
Priced over $1,000. - Practical Application: 0.5
Practice-oriented, but difficult to verify. - Certification Validity: 0.4
Certification is provided, but its credibility is uncertain.
Gemba Academy: Training Within Industry Job Instruction
Training Within Industry Job Instruction
Our rating of TWI JI Certification Course: 2.7/5,0
Overview:
This online, self-paced course offers a flexible start with no live trainer involvement. Priced at around $3,995 for a yearly subscription, it provides access to multiple courses on TWI, designed for both learners and facilitators. The course helps address the challenges of implementing TWI in the workplace, emphasizing the role of frontline supervisors and top management in driving the cultural shift.
Duration: Self-paced, 1-year access
Price: $3,995
Ratings:
- Course Content: 0.8
Covers key modules but lacks hands-on practice. - Trainers’ Expertise: 0.5
No interaction with a live trainer, only passive learning. - Pricing: 0.6
Priced above $3,000 but includes additional materials. - Practical Application: 0.4
Limited to passive watching. - Certification Validity: 0.4
More of a participation confirmation than a formal certification.
Supervisor Academy: TWI Job Instruction
TWI JI Certification TWI Job Instruction
Our rating of TWI JI Certification Course: 2.2/5,0
Overview:
This on-demand online course aims to improve on-the-job training for faster onboarding and better performance of experienced employees. TWI Job Instruction focuses on helping supervisors train employees to perform tasks correctly, safely, and consistently. However, there is limited information available about course length, trainers, or certification details.
Duration: On-demand
Price: Not specified
Ratings:
- Course Content: 0.6
Focuses mainly on the 4-step method for job instruction. - Trainers’ Expertise: 0.4
Difficult to assess as trainers are not clearly identified. - Pricing: 0.3
Pricing information is not provided. - Practical Application: 0.5
Appears to be practice-oriented, but hard to verify. - Certification Validity: 0.4
Certification is offered, but its credibility is unclear.
Best TWI JI Certification Course
Based on our observations, the TWI Job Instructions Practitioner Course stands out as the most practical and comprehensive option. This course, organized by Leantrix, excels in several key areas:
- Course Duration and Intensity: Unlike other courses that typically last 1 week, this program runs for 7 weeks, offering a deeper, more immersive experience.
- Hands-on Practice: It includes extensive practical tasks and real-world projects, ensuring participants not only learn the theory but also apply it effectively.
- Experienced Trainers: The course is led by multiple trainers, including consultants, industry practitioners, and trainers with extensive TWI experience.
- Certification and Case Study: The course concludes with a formal certification process, including the presentation of case studies that demonstrate real applications of TWI principles.
For more details, visit the course page: TWI Job Instructions Practitioner Course by Leantrix
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – TWI Job Instruction (JI) Certification
In this FAQ, we cover common questions about TWI Job Instruction (JI) Certification courses, including their structure, content, and benefits, helping you make informed decisions about which course suits your needs.
1. What is TWI Job Instruction (JI) Certification?
TWI Job Instruction Certification trains supervisors and leaders to instruct employees in performing tasks the “one best way.” The certification ensures that the trainee learns to do the job correctly, safely, and efficiently. This method builds a foundation for process standardization and continuous improvement in various industries.
2. What are the key benefits of obtaining a TWI JI Certification?
TWI JI Certification provides a structured, effective way to train employees. Key benefits include:
- Faster onboarding: Employees quickly learn tasks.
- Improved performance: Consistency in task execution leads to fewer mistakes and accidents.
- Process stability: Standardized work ensures reliable, repeatable results.
- Support for continuous improvement: A stable foundation for Lean, Kaizen, and operational excellence programs.
3. Who should take a TWI JI Certification course?
TWI JI Certification is designed for:
- Supervisors and managers responsible for on-the-job training.
- Operators and experienced employees who train others.
- HR and Lean managers focused on improving employee development, work standardization, and process efficiency.
4. What is typically covered in a TWI JI Certification course?
Most TWI JI courses cover:
- Breaking down tasks into clear, manageable steps.
- Effectively teaching tasks using the TWI 4-step method.
- Following up with trainees to ensure they perform tasks correctly.
- Building and sustaining standardized work processes.
Some courses may also focus on specific applications like safety, quality control, and continuous improvement.
5. How do TWI JI courses differ in duration and format?
The length and format of TWI JI courses vary:
- Intensive courses: Often last 1 week, focusing on fast-tracked learning.
- Extended courses: Can last 7+ weeks, offering in-depth exploration and more hands-on practice.
- Online courses: Some courses are available on-demand or virtually, allowing participants to learn at their own pace.
6. What is the cost of TWI JI Certification courses?
Course prices vary depending on the provider:
- Shorter or online courses may cost around $1,000.
- More comprehensive programs with multiple trainers and extended durations can cost between $3,000 and $4,000.
7. Do TWI JI Certification courses include practical application?
Most TWI JI Certification courses emphasize practical application. This typically involves participants:
- Creating job instructions.
- Presenting case studies.
- Practicing the 4-step training method.
Courses with longer durations often have more opportunities for hands-on projects.
8. What are the typical certification requirements?
To receive TWI JI Certification, participants usually need to:
- Complete the course and attend all sessions.
- Demonstrate their ability to instruct using the TWI method, often through practical projects or live demonstrations.
Certification may vary in its formality and recognition based on the provider.
9. Are there trainers involved in all TWI JI courses?
Not all courses have live trainers:
- In-person and virtual courses: Often feature trainers with practical industry experience.
- On-demand online courses: Usually lack direct trainer involvement, focusing more on self-paced learning with pre-recorded materials.
10. How credible are the certifications provided by TWI JI courses?
The credibility of TWI JI Certifications depends on the provider:
- Courses affiliated with recognized institutions like the TWI Institute tend to offer well-regarded certifications.
- Self-paced or online courses may offer certificates based on participation rather than skill validation.
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