Acuity Institute Press Releases

July 1, 2008 - Acuity Institute Achieves IACET Authorized Provider Status

Acuity Institute, a leading provider of affordable Six Sigma online training solutions and certification for individuals and organizations, has been granted Authorized Provider status by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).  Being an Authorized Provider will allow Acuity Institute to grant IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to customers who complete online or classroom programs.  

Becoming an Authorized Provider (AP) entailed a rigorous application process and site visit by an IACET commissioner.  Acuity Institute’s continuing education values and goals, training and program outcomes, infrastructure, customer support, and student needs assessment procedures were scrutinized by IACET to ensure adherence to the ANSI/IACET Standards for Continuing Education and Training.  This AP status places Acuity Institute among a select group of Six Sigma companies focused on continuing education and training.

“We are very pleased with achieving this status and are dedicated to providing ongoing training and certification to all of our global customers” said Kris Brazeal, Acuity Institute Vice President for Customer Support and Continuing Education.  “Not only does this achievement demonstrate the continuing education purpose of our courses, but it is invaluable in ensuring our customers are able to meet the ever changing professional market”.

About IACET:
IACET is a non-profit association dedicated to quality continuing education and training programs and certifies education providers that meet strict continuing education guidelines.  IACET certification is the standard learners seek for quality when they choose a provider. Only IACET Authorized Providers can offer the IACET CEU, the hallmark of quality in continuing education and training.  The primary purpose of the CEU is to provide a permanent record of the educational accomplishments of an individual who has completed one or more significant non-credit educational experiences. Awarding the CEU approved by IACET also provides a quality indicator for a learner’s continuing education and training programs because it means they have been reviewed and approved for complying with internationally recognized standards.

For more information, please visit http://www.iacet.org/

April 1, 2008 - Acuity Institute lauches new course, Kaizen Workshop.

This course is built around teaching key tools and techniques of Kaizen as well as real application to enhance learning.  Kaizen principles are trained and then applied through a hands-on Kaizen Event Simulation Case Study.  The training course is very interactive and emphasizes problem solving and presentation of outcomes.  The course contains 5+ hours of online course work which includes many exercises to practice and apply key concepts and tools learned.  When completed, course participants will have a solid foundation on how to successfully facilitate their own Kaizen Events. Read more...

January 1, 2008 - Six Sigma helps fight AIDS

It is difficult to overstate the suffering that HIV has caused in South Africa. With statistics showing that almost one in five adults is infected, HIV is widespread in a sense that can be difficult to imagine for those living in less-affected countries. For each person living with HIV, in South Africa and elsewhere, not only does it impact on their lives, but also those of their families, friends and wider communities.

Acuity Institute, a leading eLearning provider of Six Sigma, has co-sponsored an HIV program in South Africa with a local Six Sigma consulting firm.  The Mobile Clinic provides Primary Health Care and Voluntary Counseling and Testing to unskilled workers in the Forestry Industry.  This service has been very effective in helping over 10,000 people annually. The Clinic provides education, counseling and medication to treat opportunistic infections that attack the suppressed immune system.

One of the added benefits has been using Six Sigma Tools to analyze data. Black Belts developed a robust data collection form to analyze the most badly affected areas and identify the primary drivers.  The factors collected include location, lifestyle, age, gender, sexual habits and education level, income level but exclude the identity of the person for confidentiality reasons.

In the analysis it was found that women are 4 times more likely to contract HIV.  People living in a communal environment like a Compound in a Forestry area have a 50% higher prevalence.  There is a strong correlation between education level and contracting HIV.  The less educated the more likely to contract the disease.

This information has been used to provide more targeted programs in high risk areas, increasing the education, counseling and medical treatment.

South Africa will need to provide for 18 million orphans by 2010, and Acuity Institute is doing its part to help.

July 1, 2007 - Debbie McCarthy joins the Acuity Institute team.

Debbie McCarthy is a certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Change Leadership Expert.  Debbie brings 14 years of Process Improvement , training, coaching, project management and facilitation experience to the Acuity Institute.

Her passion is understanding clients needs, customizing curriculum and coaching clients to achieve results through the right methodology. Debbie has  experience in Six Sigma, Design for Six Sigma, Lean, Change Leadership, Train the Trainer, and Developing Teams. She  enjoys developing curriculum,  training, coaching and mentoring clients to achieve results.  Read more about Debbie...