Leadership & Learning Institute
The Berkshire Innovation Center has launched the Leadership & Learning Institute, a new skills-based learning opportunity for our Members, Affiliates, and the community at-large.
Courses in the Leadership & Learning Institute will focus on technical problem solving and human skills. Technical problem solving and human skills complement each other and are essential for any employee to thrive in today’s fast-paced and collaborative work environments.
Technical Problem Solving
Technical problem solving equips employees with structured methods to identify, analyze, and resolve challenges efficiently. It enables them to use data, tools, and methodologies (like DMAIC) to make informed decisions, reduce errors, improve processes, and contribute to innovation. This skill is particularly valuable in roles involving engineering, manufacturing, IT, or operations where logical thinking and precision are crucial.
Human Skills
Human skills—such as communication, adaptability, teamwork, leadership, and emotional intelligence—are what enable employees to work effectively with others. These skills help them listen to feedback, resolve conflicts, manage change, and motivate peers. Human skills are especially critical in cross-functional teams and customer-facing roles, where understanding people and building trust are key to success.
When combined, technical and human skills create a well-rounded employee who not only solves problems effectively but also collaborates well, drives positive change, and supports a healthy workplace culture. This balance leads to better job performance, stronger teams, and greater organizational success.
Course Descriptions
STAT Level #1: Technical Problem Solving & Human Skills
STAT Levels 1 – 2 – 3 courses are related – but separate - in a series called Systems Thinking for the Application of Technologies, or STAT. The courses are important because they address two key industry needs: (1) developing employee troubleshooting & systems thinking and (2) enhancing human skills.
Level 1 focuses on DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) as a framing tool that illustrates and engages students in ways to enhance their troubleshooting and their problem-solving skills to more effectively approach any problem, from fixing a coffee machine to something far more complex. It is an interactive seminar with a lot of thoughtful exchange, prompting students to think about their lives and work roles. Ideal candidate is in a production or manager role and wishes to enhance systems thinking for technical problem-solving and is eager to further develop human skills.
Course Length
Five weeks / five hours per week
Course Capacity
15
Course Cost
$2,000*
STAT Level #2: Technical Problem Solving & Human Skills
STAT Levels 1 – 2 – 3 courses are related – but separate - in a series called Systems Thinking for the Application of Technologies, or STAT. The courses are important because they address two key industry needs: (1) developing employee troubleshooting & systems thinking and (2) enhancing human skills.
In Level 2, students will apply DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) problem solving to an organizational problem. The hands-on learning will involve interacting with a micro-manufacturing wind turbine plant which will serve as a testing ground to practice problem-based learning. Students will apply measurement approaches, process mapping, and other tools within DMAIC. This simulation allows students to tweak the types of technology that could be deployed in a production line as the process is controlled, improved, and sustained. Ideal candidate is in a production or manager role and wishes to enhance systems thinking for technical problem-solving and is eager to further develop human skills.
Course Length
Five weeks / five hours per week
Course Capacity
15
Course Cost
$2,000*
STAT Level #3: Applied Technical Problem Solving and Human Skill Development
STAT Levels 1 – 2 – 3 courses are related – but separate - in a series called Systems Thinking for the Application of Technologies, or STAT. The courses are important because they address two key industry needs: (1) developing employee troubleshooting & systems thinking and (2) enhancing human skills.
IIn Level 3, students will move from a micro-manufacturing simulation and rethink where they sit within their current organizational roles or work group, and begin to formulate a way to “make their learning count”. With support from a supervisor, the students will identify a current real-life problem, or opportunity, that they can troubleshoot, and problem solve. They will be paired with industry coaches to apply the DMAIC framework to assess actual “pain points” within their firms and propose solutions that will make their firms more productive, efficient, and competitive resulting in a final presentation showcasing their application of systems thinking to make organizational impact. Ideal candidate is in a production or manager role and wishes to enhance systems thinking for technical problem-solving and is eager to further develop human skills.
Course Length
Five weeks / five hours per week
Course Capacity
15
Course Cost
$2,000*
The Fundamentals of DMAIC – One Day Workshop
This comprehensive, hands-on workshop is designed for professionals looking to understand and apply the DMAIC methodology (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) to drive process improvements and achieve operational excellence. Participants will learn the key principles, tools, and techniques used in each phase of DMAIC to identify root causes, optimize performance, and maintain lasting improvements.
Whether you're a process improvement beginner or looking to sharpen your skills, this workshop will equip you with practical knowledge that can be applied immediately to real-world business challenges.
Course Length
7.5 hours
Course Capacity
15
Course Cost
$995*
Human Skills
This course covers the eight (8) universal core human competencies and helps employees enhance awareness of, develop, and tune their competencies. The competencies, once understood, create a way for individuals to orient and re-orient themselves to varied situations within their team.
*Member companies receive 20% discount: $1,200
*Affiliate members receive 10% discount: $1,350
Dates
September – November 2025
Course Length
Twelve weeks
Course Capacity
15
Course Cost
$1,500*
Course Timing
Courses will be scheduled once the course capacity is met. Please register your interest in any of the courses listed above and we will be in touch once we have filled the course. If you would like to schedule a group of your employees to participate in a course simutaneously, please note that on the form
Available discounts and possible reimbursement:
Member companies will receive a 20% discount off of list prices
Affiliate members will receive a 10% discount of of list prices
Some companies will be eligible for reimbursement through the Commonwealth Corporation Workforce Training Fund Express Program. Please reach out to Denise Johns denise@the-bic.org for more information on this program.