Programmes
Events
Check the possibilities
The Hands-On Manufacturing Excellence Course (Black Belt) is a practical programme by ASML, DAF and Fontys. In a team, you build, analyse and improve production lines in a simulated Learning Factory, and you visit real factories. The Black Belt is the expert track: you finish with an oral exam and earn the Microcredential Black Belt in Manufacturing (NLQF level 7).
You work at master’s level and prove it with an oral exam that proves your expertise.
You learn to diagnose complex problems and guide teams through change.
You improve a full production process in the Learning Factory, under pressure.
You use proven methods, visit real factories and meet industry experts.
Stijn alumnusThe small scale of the course creates a close bond right from the start.
This course is for professionals who want an expert role in manufacturing excellence and continuous improvement. You work at a strategic and analytical level and lead improvement initiatives.
This is not a classroom Black Belt: you work in a real Learning Factory with partners such as ASML and DAF, and you prove your expertise in a final oral exam. You train alongside Green Belt candidates in the same Learning Factory, so you learn from each other across levels and build a shared way of working.
You have at least a technical or mathematical bachelor work and thinking level, gained through study and/or work experience (NLQF level 5, associate degree level and up). A Green Belt or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt helps, but is not required. You bring your own laptop.
You are comfortable analysing data and processes. Experience with improvement projects helps you get the most out of the expert level.
You work at expert level across five areas: process and process control; data analysis and statistics; engineering and structured problem solving; continuous improvement in practice; and collaborative leadership. You apply all of this in the Learning Factory at NLQF level 7, master’s level.
The course runs over about one month, with 9 module days (a kick-off plus two blocks of four days) and a final oral exam. You spend roughly 2 to 5 days preparing for the exam. Sessions run from 9.00 to 17.00.
You work in a simulated Learning Factory and visit a real factory. You finish the Black Belt with a mandatory oral exam. The sessions take place on location.
You learn in teams through hands-on simulations, iterating on a full production process under real pressure, factory visits, and a final oral exam.
This is the Black Belt track, at NLQF level 7 (expert, master’s level). New to manufacturing excellence, or do you want a solid foundation first? Then look at the Green Belt track (NLQF level 5, associate degree level): the same core programme, without the oral exam.
€ 0
Microcredential Black Belt in Manufacturing (NLQF level 7, master’s level)
9 × 8 hours ≈ 72 contact hours + 2–5 days of exam preparation
1 month
Cursus
21-09-2026
Below you will find the start date of this course and a link to register. Places are limited, so register on time. The Green Belt and Black Belt tracks run together in the same learning factory. The programme goes ahead when there are at least about 60 participants across both tracks together.
You need at least a technical or mathematical bachelor work and thinking level (NLQF level 5, associate degree level, and up). A Green Belt or experience with improvement projects helps, but is not required. You build the expert skills during the course. Not sure whether the level fits you? Please get in touch, we are happy to advise.
You develop expert-level skills across five areas: analysing and improving processes at a systemic level; using statistics and data analysis to find root causes; turning problems into sound engineering solutions; applying improvement tools under real production pressure; and leading teams and change. After the course, you can independently diagnose complex manufacturing challenges, lead improvement initiatives, and back up your decisions with solid reasoning. On completion, you receive the Microcredential Black Belt in Manufacturing (NLQF level 7, master’s level).
The Black Belt track ends with a mandatory oral exam. It checks whether you can apply manufacturing excellence in complex, real situations and reason at NLQF level 7 (master’s level). If you do not pass, you can always resit. If you ultimately do not pass, or choose not to resit, you receive the Microcredential Green Belt (NLQF level 5, associate degree level) instead.
Both tracks follow the same core programme in the Learning Factory. The Green Belt is the foundation track at NLQF level 5 (associate degree level). The Black Belt is the expert track at NLQF level 7 (master’s level), with an extra oral exam, for professionals who lead improvement projects and diagnose complex challenges on their own. Want to compare?
The course is fully in English.
We are happy to help.