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What is Training Within Industry (TWI)?

TWI is the essential foundation for individual and organizational improvement

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What is TWI and Why is It So Effective?

TWI is a dynamic and proven process of hands-on learning, practice, coaching and certification. It develops frontline supervisors, team leaders and workers as the foundation for sustainable results in the workplace. TWI consists of core programs that build skills, stability and safety.

TWI started in 1940 with the United States Department of War and operated within the War Manpower Commission until 1945. It was developed to meet the high demand for wartime materials from a smaller and less experienced workforce. Over the course of World War II, the companies putting TWI in place increased production, reduced labor, scrap and training time and saw grievances drop dramatically.

The United States brought TWI to Japan in the 1950s where it became the foundational component of the Toyota Production System (TPS), which has been studied and written about extensively.

TWI’s benefits transcend time, place and situation.
  • Quickly build skills, stability, safety and confidence
  • Develop frontline people as the engine for sustainable results in the workplace
  • The essential foundation for problem solving, standard work, continuous improvement, operational excellence and Lean initiatives
  • Create positive employee relations, resolves conflicts, increases cooperation and motivation

Let’s Talk TWI

TWI Knowledge Certification: The Best Way to Start Your TWI Journey

Acquiring formative education through TWI Knowledge Certification will help you grasp the substance of TWI as you gain a greater understanding of what is TWI, what it does, how it works and how it is learned.

The TWI Knowledge Certification gives you access to the world’s most experienced TWI practitioners, led by Patrick Graupp, TWI Institute’s Vice President and Senior Master Trainer, and author of several books on TWI and its impact on human and organizational performance.

Ideal for:

An organization in the early stages of exploring the benefits of “Training Within Industry?” Those on the evaluation team will learn what TWI is, its benefits and how it delivers ROI to the organization.

For people in an organization planning to start TWI training.The TWI Knowledge Certification is the ideal pre-requisite for TWI programs and will reduce training time.

For someone interested in becoming a TWI Certified Trainer or desiring a solid grounding in TWI.

Knowledge Certificate Program Structure
  • What is TWI?
  • Why TWI?
  • Job Relations
  • Job Instruction
  • Job Methods
  • Problem Solving

TWI Delivers Results Across a Spectrum of Industries and Departments

TWI develops frontline people as the foundation for making good things happen — for themselves and your workplace, no matter where your workplace may be.

What Our Clients Say

TWI Institute programs train leaders to be better leaders – how to handle problems, how to prevent them from occurring and how to use a logical, common-sense approach for handling issues with a people-centric view.

Our end-to-end approach sets us apart

Our proven methods stretch far beyond essential TWI, Kata and Standardized Work training. From initial preparation to ongoing consulting, we prepare people and workplaces for continuous improvement, better outcomes and increased engagement.
  1. 1
    Preparation
  2. 2
    Education
  3. 3
    Adoption
  4. 4
    Integration
  5. 5
    Certification
  6. 6
    Continuation
Step One:
Preparation

We start with an assessment and provide tailored recommendations for your workers and your workplace. KPIs are set, a communication strategy is planned and workforce orientation begins.

Step Two:
Education

Supervisors, team leaders and those who direct the work of others attend, participate and learn in our cornerstone programs: TWI, Kata and Standardized Work.

Step Three:
Adoption

We work with you to plan a pilot program and teams begin to learn by doing. Through workplace practice and coaching, we help students accept the ideas and put them to work. We’re with you through every step of the journey.

Step Four:
Integration

We assess learning, validate pilot results, incorporate skills into routines, evaluate practices and culture, and measure performance against KPIs.

Step Five:
Certification

We execute worker and workplace certifications, including TWI Certification (student and trainer), Kata Certification (student and trainer), and Train-the-Trainer Certification.

Step Six:
Continuation

We stay connected with planned reassessments, KPI checks, remedial coaching, and re-certifications to protect and grow your return on investment.

Get Started with TWI Knowledge Certification

Explore All of Our TWI Programs

There are five basic TWI programs, all of which enable and empower your frontline leaders and workers with better skills and better relationships. We can advise you on staging and sequencing our programs depending on what you need to do or problems you need to solve.

Ready to get started?