The Fellowship is a recognition scheme that celebrates the successful implementation of a work-based improvement project. It is designed to validate not only the outcomes achieved but also the practical application of tools and techniques learned during training.

The criteria ensures the continued, hands-on momentum of the skills developed during the training days. Delegates are expected to put their learning into action by applying structured improvement tools and methodologies, enabling their individual businesses to experience measurable benefits from the training and professional growth.

The Fellowship requiring evidence of use of tools and techniques in real-world projects, the this demonstrates that improvements are sustainable and grounded in proven practices. Our approach reinforces the value of the training and ensures that the impact is both practical and visible across the organisation. The Fellowship is an award of The Manufacturing Institute.

There are no formal qualifications required to start a Fellowship. However, candidates undertaking Green Belt or Black Belt programmes must attend 100% of all face-to-face course sessions and successfully complete the Fellowship project in accordance with the stated criteria to achieve certification. The emphasis is on full participation and practical application rather than prior academic credentials.

The Fellowship includes access to direction and support through our virtual learning environment (VLE), itsLearning, where resources and guidance are available throughout your project. In addition, our team is on hand to answer questions at any time, offering encouragement and practical support to keep you on track. For those who want extra help, additional coaching hours can be arranged at a nominal fee of £150 +VAT per hour, ensuring you have the expertise you need to deliver a successful improvement project.

Each delegate is required to identify a person within their organisation who will act as a mentor for the project. The mentor’s role is to track progress, provide support throughout delivery, and play a key part in the end-of-project review. They must also sign off the proposal before commencement, ensuring alignment with business priorities. This requirement is vital because it creates awareness and momentum within the organisation, secures buy-in and advocacy from leadership, and reinforces accountability and recognition for the delegate’s work. By involving a mentor, businesses strengthen engagement and ensure that improvement projects deliver meaningful, sustainable impact.

Please note that coaching support for the Fellowship is not included as standard and is only available under a separate agreement. This ensures that the core Fellowship remains accessible and cost-effective for all delegates, while providing flexibility for those who require additional guidance. For delegates who want extra support, coaching can be arranged at a nominal fee of £150 per hour. This charge reflects the value of personalised, expert input from experienced practitioners, helping to accelerate progress, overcome challenges, and maximise the impact of your improvement project.

Delegates wishing to register for a Fellowship must submit a proposal that clearly defines the improvement area to be addressed. The proposal should state the specific improvement targets, outline the scope of work intended, and provide an indicative timeline for delivery. This ensures clarity of purpose, measurable objectives, and a structured approach to achieving meaningful results.

From commencement, the in-company activity is expected to deliver results within a defined period of approximately three months, depending on the course requirements. Where the scale of the project is company-specific or subject to internal time constraints, this will be managed on a case-by-case basis to ensure flexibility while maintaining accountability for outcomes.

To achieve Fellowship accreditation, six sigma delegates must attend 100% of all face-to-face modules and submit their project within the allocated timeframe, typically three months from commencement. Failure to submit on time will result in forfeiting the award, as the minimum mark of 50% cannot be achieved.

Extension requests must be made in writing within five working days of the final submission date, detailing any extenuating circumstances. If a module is missed, where possible delegates may attend a future session for an administration fee of £150 +VAT to complete the programme and gain TMI Certification.

Fellowship accreditation is only possible once full attendance is achieved. For Lean and Leadership programmes, a minimum of 80% attendance is required for certification, with Fellowship eligibility dependent on meeting this threshold. Terms and conditions apply.

Fellowship delegates are required to provide supporting evidence for the review process, and ideally the work undertaken should be well documented. Examples include charts showing ‘before’ and ‘after’ performance, photographic material to illustrate changes, and video clips to demonstrate improvements in action. Delegates are encouraged to use multiple formats such as PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, images, and verbal summaries. To bring this material together, each delegate should maintain a project log, which can be uploaded to the It’s Learning portal.

This log is valuable for tracking progress and forms part of the overall assessment for Fellowship endorsement. Additional evidence could include process maps, control charts, A3 reports, cost-benefit analyses, stakeholder feedback, and short case studies.

All evidence is good evidence, the key is to show clear impact and practical application of improvement tools.

The structure of the Fellowship report should enable the delegate to present a logical argument, clearly marshalling ideas around a defined theme supported by evidence. A strong report is simple, focused, and easy to follow. In addition to outlining the improvement journey, the report must include a reflection section that quantifies the impact of the project. This should cover financial savings, time savings, improvements in collaboration and morale, increases in output, reductions in target KPIs, and percentage achievement against set targets. Where possible, use clear data visualisations and concise commentary to demonstrate measurable results and practical application.

The Manufacturing Institute is an authorised training provider of Minitab®, and we use this platform in the delivery of our Six Sigma Green and Black Belt programmes. Please note that Minitab® is not required for the ARTL Fellowship.

In Six Sigma, data-driven decision-making is fundamental, and typically requires access to a statistical analysis tool. During our Green and Black Belt training, delegates will learn how to spot trends, solve problems, and uncover valuable insights from data, using practical examples with Minitab®.

If you do not currently have access to a statistical analysis tool, please inform us at the point of booking. Through our training agreement with Minitab®, delegates can access a 14-day free trial, supported by an extended six-month desktop licence at a reduced rate of £495 + VAT.

All Fellowship submissions must be made electronically via email or through the It’s Learning portal. Every submission will undergo plagiarism checks and is protected under The Manufacturing Institute’s confidentiality procedures.

In addition, we operate in full compliance with UK GDPR and Data Protection laws, ensuring that any personal data processed during the submission and review process is handled lawfully, fairly, and transparently. Delegates’ rights under GDPR such as the right to access, rectify, or request deletion of personal data are respected, and retention periods are clearly defined.

All data is used solely for the purpose of Fellowship assessment and will never be shared with third parties without a lawful basis or explicit consent. These measures safeguard privacy, uphold trust, and ensure compliance with legal obligations.

We actively encourage teams to undertake Fellowship projects, as collaboration often delivers greater impact. When submitting a proposal, the team must clearly outline the contribution of each member through a detailed team project plan, specifying roles and responsibilities. At the end of the project, every individual is required to participate in the review process and contribute to the final presentation, explaining their specific role and input. This approach ensures accountability, recognises individual effort, and demonstrates the collective value of teamwork in driving improvement.

Delegates or teams may be asked to deliver a 15-minute narrated presentation, preferably supported by a PowerPoint, to representatives from The Manufacturing Institute, the project mentor, and representatives from the employing company. This presentation will form part of the Fellowship assessment and should clearly demonstrate the project’s objectives, methodology, outcomes, and individual contributions. Presentations may take place as part of a public training programme or during company-specific Fellowship review sessions, ensuring transparency and recognition of the work completed.

At the conclusion of the presentation and following further discussions with the in-house mentor, the TMI practitioner will meet separately to determine the awarding of the Fellowship. For team projects, awards will be based on overall team performance. An established scoring system, aligned with the specific course criteria, is used to ensure fairness and consistency. To achieve a Fellowship award, a minimum score of 50% must be obtained.

For delegates embarking on a Fellowship, a certificate of completion is awarded upon meeting the requirements for full course attendance and successful final project assessment. These certificates are official awards from The Manufacturing Institute and will be issued within 10 working days of the final assessment outcome, ensuring timely recognition of achievement.

Our independently accredited certification is enduring, widely recognised and highly respected across the manufacturing sector. Achieving certification from The Manufacturing Institute demonstrates a clear commitment to world-class training, best practice, and continuous improvement. It not only validates your expertise but also helps position both you and your organisation ahead of the competition, reinforcing credibility with customers, stakeholders, and peers.