UMW Business Student Passes LEAN Bronze Certification Exam

University of Montana Western senior Cael Murgel has passed the LEAN Bronze Certification Exam, an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates proficiency in manufacturing efficiency and quality improvement practices.

Murgel, a Business Administration major, achieved the certification through the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). The LEAN Bronze Certification focuses on the practical application of lean principles, including improving workflows, reducing waste, and increasing productivity within operational settings.

The certification is typically pursued by professionals with several years of experience in manufacturing or operations environments, making it a notable accomplishment for an undergraduate student.

At its core, LEAN is a methodology centered on improving processes to achieve measurable results. The certification process includes a comprehensive exam on lean fundamentals and requires demonstrated understanding of tools such as 5S, value stream mapping, total productive maintenance, and standardized work.

Murgel prepared for the certification exam by attending a six-week professional development course offered by the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC), which is housed in the Montana State University Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering. MMEC Senior Business Advisor (and UM alumnus) Steve Dybdal led Murgel and local manufacturing professionals through the fundamentals of LEAN and how to apply them to enhance production operations. The course concludes with test preparation sessions, followed by the certification exam.

Murgel credits his experience in the classroom as a key factor in pursuing the certification.

“Brian England’s Operations Management class motivated me to pursue the LEAN Bronze Certification,” said Murgel. “I owe a lot to him for helping me build confidence and develop a real passion for operations management. His class showed me how valuable LEAN principles are and encouraged me to challenge myself by working toward the certification.”

Preparing for the exam required significant focus and discipline, particularly within a condensed timeframe. Murgel participated in the MMEC course in addition to his classes at UMW.

“The most challenging part of preparing for the certification was finding the time and discipline to sit down and fully absorb a large amount of material in a short period of time,” Murgel said. “Thankfully, the block schedule at Western helped me adapt to this style of learning and prepared me for a more rigorous course load.”

Earning the certification marks an important milestone as Murgel prepares to enter the workforce.

“Earning this certification is a big accomplishment for me,” he said. “It represents the effort I put into developing my knowledge of operations management and gives me confidence as I continue working toward a career in the field. I believe this opportunity has given me a valuable head start, and I look forward to applying what I’ve learned as I continue to grow professionally.”

MMEC offers limited scholarships to Montana university students to attend this Operational Excellence training and prepare for the exam. For more information on this program, contact MMEC at 406-994-3812.

To learn more about the Business Administration program and how Montana Western prepares students for careers in operations and management, visit umwestern.edu.