CIOB starts second batch for ‘Lean Practices in Construction’ on 24 July

Friday, 12 July 2019 00:00 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Prof. Chitra Weddikkara interacting with participants 

The Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) is continuing the ‘Lean Practices in Construction’ training program with the second batch on 24 July at Ramada Hotel. This course is relevant for engineers, architects, quantity surveyors and mid management staff from the medium to large companies in the construction sector. 

The Lean Construction Level One Course is the equivalent of a White Belt Lean Course. The Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) recently successfully finished the Lean Construction Level One Course for the first batch.

Lean construction practices enable companies to reduce the loss of resources in the construction industry, such as wastage of materials, delays in delivery, lack of communication between stakeholders, defects and corrections required, etc. 

Since the quantum of funds is so large in average construction projects, small savings will significantly improve budgets, timelines and profitability. In fact, the construction sector around the world has realised the need for significantly increased efficiencies and similar courses are being conducted in countries such as the UK, Ireland, Thailand, Australia and Malaysia.

Ceylon Institute of Builders President Dr. Rohan Karunaratne proposed the commencement of this course and stressed the importance of using Lean techniques to assist contractors reduce waste, which would then enable Sri Lankan companies to win more of the larger projects in the Colombo Megapolis. To date, all large projects have gone to foreign contractors.

Professor Chitra Wedikkara, formerly from the University of Moratuwa and Past President, Sri Lanka Institute of Architects and Institute of Quantity Surveyors, stressed on the importance of training staff in Lean as procurement guidelines for Government projects will include value addition and Lean specialists within the corporate team in the future. She also stated that there is currently a high demand for Lean certified engineers and construction staff in Qatar.

Participants who successfully complete the course would be awarded a Lean Level One Certificate at the forthcoming prestigious 8th World Construction Symposium, scheduled to take place in November. The CIOB, which also formed the South Asian Lean Construction Institute (SALCI) last year, also intends to regularly conduct Lean construction courses and is planning a two-day Yellow Belt Lean Course in September. Intended participants could join the programme on 24 July by contacting Ceylon Institute of Builders on [email protected] for further information.

The courses are being conducted by Arosha Jayasundera, a specialist Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, who has been in the operational excellence industry for 15 years and founded the Asian Institute of Excellence. She works closely with many Government bodies and the private sector as a lecturer, trainer and senior management consultant. 

 

COMMENTS