Improvement Practitioner - Level 4 Apprenticeship (Starting bewteen August 2024 and July 2025)

Improvement Practitioners use a blend of Lean and Six Sigma, project and change management principles and tools to identify and lead the delivery of change across organisational functions and processes.

Improvement Practitioners can be found across all sectors and functions including automotive, banking, engineering, manufacturing, food products, IT, property, retail, telecoms, Local and County Councils, NHS, Voluntary / Charity, Utilities, Pharmaceuticals, Insurance, Hospitality etc.

This apprenticeship standard is designed as a 14 month programme and is for apprentices who wish to gain the skills, knowledge and behavioural competences required to work using improvement techniques.

This qualification is completed in the workplace and learners are required to demonstrate all evidence requirements, learning outcomes and assessment criteria through the production of an evidence-based portfolio.

Evidence will be naturally occurring examples across a range of units selected to allow the learner to demonstrate their competency in completing their regular work-based activities.

Near the end of the Apprenticeship, the Learner will have to pass the End Point Assessment. An external body will assess the learner through a multiple-choice exam, project report and presentation and professional discussion. This will result in a Fail, Pass, Merit or Distinction.

This apprenticeship standard is designed as a 14 month programme and is for apprentices who wish to gain the skills, knowledge and behavioural competences required to work in an improvement role.

• Compliance: Work in accordance with organisational controls and statutory regulations

• Communication: Speak and write clearly. Influence others, question effectively. Plan and deliver meetings presenting insight to engage audiences.

• Coaching: Observe, listen, use questioning, provide feedback, and spot learning opportunities.

• Project management: Define, sequence, plan and schedule activities with phases and milestones. Estimate effort and duration. Create and update project charter. Review progress.

• Change management: Sponsorship contract, surface and manage resistance, build compelling narratives for change, assess change impact.

• Principals and Methods: Select and apply a structured method and appropriate improvement tools engaging with subject matter experts to deliver business benefits.

• Project selection and Scoping: Support the identification of improvement opportunity and the scoping of these projects.

• Problem definition: Support development of problem/opportunity statements.

• Voice of the customer: Support application of techniques to identify and prioritise customers, their requirements and ensure balance against the stated and unstated needs of the business (Voice of the Business).

• Process mapping & analysis: Process map to measure and analyse flow and value. Identify interfaces, functional responsibilities, and ownership. Use insight to identify potential opportunities and map future state.

• Lean tools: Seek in-process waste through understanding of value within the value stream.

• Measurements systems: Plan, carry out and assess results of a measurement system study.

• Data acquisition for analysis: Develop a sampling strategy.

• Basic statistics & measures: Use graphical analysis to understand distribution and stability.

• Data analysis-statistical methods: Identify datatypes and select analysis methods and tools. Assess time series data stability and analyse making relevant insight.

• Process capability & performance: Select methods and metrics for analysis.

• Root cause analysis: Select and apply the appropriate graphical tool dependent on the data type to identify patterns, trends and signals to establish hypothesis.

• Experimentation & optimisation: Plan designed experiment with clear objectives, and appropriate levels of Measurement Systems Analysis, analyse experiment data and optimise.

• Identification & prioritisation: Identify and prioritise factors, ideas and solutions.

• Data analysis – SPC: Select and apply appropriate tools for ongoing monitoring and control. Analyse and interpret control charts.

• Benchmarking: Conduct structured benchmarking to support target setting.

• Sustainability & control: Identify failure modes and embed learning from improvements.

Delivered and assessed in the workplace and at Yeovil College (a day onsite every 4 weeks).

1:1 and tri-party reviews will be arranged throughout the duration of the apprenticeship.

Assessment will be work based through portfolio evidence. Self-directed study of key elements This qualification is assessed through the end point assessment.

Duration: Typically 14 months, Delivery method: Blended learning between remote /Workplace Assessor visits and bespoke sessions at Yeovil College.

Funding: Typical cost is £11,000 for a Levy-paying employer, fully funded for a 16-18yr old at a small employer or 5% for any other circumstance.

You will be assessed against set Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours that have been developed by the industry throughout the programme. Your employer plays a large part in helping and supporting you becoming a competent Improvement Technician.

Your final assessment known as End Point Assessment will take place at the end of your apprenticeship through the End Point Assessment Organisation: Advanced Analytics. This is a portfolio-based apprenticeship.

Multiple choice exam, project report and presentation and questioning, and professional discussion (underpinned by log) set in the apprentice’s workplace.

Entry requirements: Employed within a relevant job role which covers all areas of the qualification to demonstrate key skills, knowledge and behaviours.

Functional Skills Level 2 English and maths is required at enrolment and for the End Point Assessment.

Currently working within a suitable role within this vocational area. Learners will find it useful to have access to:

• Standard office IT equipment to gather, analyse and present data

• Data analysis software

• A basic understanding of business improvement methods and principles