In an article published by Jerry Clupper, Executive Director of the New Haven Manufacturers Association, on October 16, 2013, students and staff of the Manufacturing Technology program at Platt Technical High School in Milford, Connecticut participated in the recording of GEMBA Live. Gemba Live is a video program that features different organizations that are implementing Lean Manufacturing.
Lean Manufacturing is a strong component of Manufacturing Technology at Platt Tech. According to Platt Tech's Manufacturing Technology Department Head David Tuttle, "With Lean Manufacturing in place, the shop has been consistently improving each year in all aspects of the daily life here. Whether it's organization, reducing wasted supplies, time or improved lessons, Lean places the students into a position of empowerment to improve their own shop and learning." This effort has made major changes as well as improved job opportunities for Platt Tech graduates, with one 2013 grad being hired as a Lean Technician for a global corporation. (Schick).
To keep this process moving Tuttle asked the New Haven Manufacturers Association Workforce Committee if they would purchase a 52 DVD training program from the Gemba Academy located in Texas. When hearing about the work being done at Platt Tech, Gemba Academy representatives were particularly impressed that this training was taking place in a technical high school when it's usually done in companies.
*Image Courtesy of New Haven Manufacturers Association