Improvement Leader
About the course
Improvement Leaders play a vital role in driving organisational excellence by developing improvement strategies, providing leadership in improvement initiatives, and supporting Improvement Specialists in conducting advanced analyses. They typically report to Board members or Heads of Department and oversee a team of Improvement Specialists responsible for deploying strategies and leading improvement projects.
Working closely with all business functions, Improvement Leaders ensure alignment between improvement efforts and overall business goals. They often focus on the largest-scale and highest-priority programmes, driving accountability and facilitating collaboration across teams to achieve desired outcomes. In addition to their strategic responsibilities, Improvement Leaders foster a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organisation. They invest in developing the skills and capabilities of their teams, ensuring that everyone is equipped to contribute effectively to ongoing improvement efforts. Through their guidance and expertise, Improvement Leaders drive meaningful change and facilitate long-term success.
Apprentices are trained to develop and deploy sustainable improvement strategies, coach, and mentor others, and ensure the achievement of business goals.
Practical applications include driving organisational change in large corporations, leading enterprise-wide quality improvement initiatives, and developing strategic plans to enhance operational efficiency.
The course integrates the IFATE standard and emphasises respect, tolerance, democracy, and individual liberty.
Qualifications
Upon completion of the programme, all successful graduates are awarded the following qualifications:
- BSc (Hons) Improvement Leader.
- Level 6 Improvement Leader Apprenticeship.
Units of study
This unit explores the interplay between strategy and change management, focusing on how projects and programs support organisational goals. It covers strategic management paradigms, change management models, and the relationship between project management and strategic implementation. Apprentices learn to develop strategic options, analyse resources, and evaluate the impact of projects on strategic outcomes. The coursework includes evaluating organisational project strategies and planning change initiatives. Key learning outcomes include the ability to prepare and justify change plans, evaluate strategic approaches, and manage change through program and project management, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and successful implementation.
This unit aims to develop the ability to critically evaluate the benefits of improvement strategies and to lead data analysis using statistical methods to achieve these improvements. Apprentices will explore various quantitative techniques and their applications in real-world business contexts, focusing on methods such as multiple regression, binary logistic regression, forecasting, queuing theory, and simulation (Monte Carlo and discrete event). The coursework emphasises practical application, requiring apprentices to design and implement data-driven improvement strategies and assess their financial and non-financial benefits within their organisations. Key learning outcomes include mastering statistical process control and leading improvement projects.
This unit focuses on developing leadership, change management, and coaching skills essential for leading business improvement initiatives. It covers team formation, leadership styles, emotional intelligence, and strategic deployment of continuous improvement. Apprentices are required to identify training needs within their organisation, develop a training plan, and deliver a training session to Level 5 apprentices. Key outcomes include the ability to assess learning needs, plan and deliver training, and enhance organisational capabilities through effective leadership and coaching.
This capstone unit synthesizes all knowledge, skills, and behaviours learned throughout the Improvement Leader Apprenticeship course. Apprentices develop a dissertation focused on improvement strategies within their employer's business, integrating project management, data analysis, and change management. They must identify a significant improvement project, develop a detailed plan, and deliver a training session to Level 5 apprentices. The focus is on creating a continuous improvement culture and evaluating the impact of these strategies.
Meet your Course Coordinator
Get to know Omamode Orieno, your supportive mentor and Course Coordinator for the Improvement Leader Apprenticeship.
Delve into his background, understand his experience and areas of expertise, along with his personal interests. Uncover the individual behind the position, eager to support you with a smile throughout your apprenticeship journey.
Entry Requirements
Individual employers will set their own entry requirements; typically Improvement level 5 qualification or equivalent. Applicants need to remain employed within the workplace for the duration of the course, ideally for a minimum of 30hrs a week. Apprentices without level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment.
Fee - Companies with a wage bill less than £3m will just pay £750, this is because the government funds 95% of the full fee. If you are a levy-payer then this apprenticeship will be £15,000 from your levy. As a business of any size, you can also use the Manage Apprenticeship service to apply for funding from large businesses that want to fund 100% of your apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
