The Joint Quality Improvement Steering Committee, established in 1987, directs the program. The primary goal of the committee is to achieve best-in-class quality levels by creating work environments that encourage full contribution from each worker.
The UAW-Ford National Quality Committee is the action arm of the Steering Committee. It works with division and local quality committees and develops quality education and training programs, new quality initiatives and quality-related communications.
With the goal of total customer satisfaction, the "Best-in-Class" Quality Program provides for the involvement of local Unions and plant management from the earliest stages of the manufacturing process all the way to the final product. This reflects the recognition, by both the Union and the Company, that quality is vital to true long-term success and job security.
Ensures worker participation in achieving continuous improvement in the quality of Ford products. Develops training programs aimed at quality-related orientation and education.
Error Proofing
-- a 12-hour course that provides an applications-oriented study designed
to teach participants how to error-proof manufacturing operations. The
course first presents the fundamental concepts of error proofing, and
then shows illustrative examples. The participants will discover examples
of error proofing on the plant floor, and they will identify and develop
an opportunity to apply error proofing.
Prevent Recurrence -- The 8-hour training course has been developed
to provide participants with an improved awareness and understanding of
the principles required to successfully implement the Prevent Recurrence
problem solving methodology. This methodology incorporates the strategies
of Managing Decision Making, Enhanced 8D Problem Solving and the Process
Improvement Methodology within a single system.
Quality Leadership System -- The QLS is an electronic system used
to manage quality related data in assembly plants. The system gathers
inspection and audit data, repair actions, and campaign results. The basic
objective of the QLS is to provide a consistent means of managing quality
data throughout all areas of all final assembly plants.
Basic Quality Training -- This quality related training course
is designed to improve the performance of plant quality operating system
teams. The training incorporates vital concepts and practices that every
Ford location uses to insure quality products and is presented in modular
format.
Certified Quality Specialist -- Offered by Wayne State University
for the UAW-Ford National Quality Committee, this program is designed
to provide basic and advanced training for the UAW Quality Representatives.
Participants in this program will complete a variety of courses related
to the field of quality. Those who complete the program by successfully
passing each course or appropriate proficiency exam will earn a Certified
Quality Specialist Certificate from Wayne State University.