Improvement Practitioner
About the course
Improvement Practitioners utilise a blend of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, along with project and change management principles, to identify and lead the delivery of change across organisational functions and processes. Their role is essential in enhancing efficiency, productivity, and overall performance by systematically eliminating waste and reducing variability in processes.
These professionals can be found in a variety of sectors, including automotive, banking, engineering, food products, IT, property, retail, telecoms, local and county councils, the NHS, voluntary/charity organisations, utilities, pharmaceuticals, insurance, and hospitality. Their expertise is applicable in any setting where process improvement and operational excellence are needed.
The course develops a portfolio of Improvement Projects, providing practical examples and applications of the methodologies taught. This portfolio serves as source material for submission to the End Point Assessment (EPA) of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) Improvement Practitioner Apprenticeship, following the completion of the academic course. Successfully passing the EPA demonstrates that the practitioner is well-prepared to drive meaningful improvements within their organisation.
Key units include Practical Professional Development, Data Analysis for Business Improvement, Project Management Practice, and Problem Solving and Improvement Methods.
Practical applications include streamlining processes in manufacturing, improving customer service protocols, and optimising supply chain logistics, etc.
The course emphasises respect, tolerance, democracy, and individual liberty, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of citizenship in a modern, diverse society.
Qualifications
Upon completion of the programme, all successful graduates are awarded the following qualifications:
- Certificate of Higher Education in Business Management.
- Level 4 Improvement Practitioner Apprenticeship.
- English and Maths up to Level 2 are integrated into the programme if not already held upon entry.
Units of Study
This unit (30 credits) is designed to develop apprentices' skills in undertaking improvement projects within a business context. The unit emphasises project management, team working, continuous improvement, and adaptability to new challenges. The syllabus starts with an overview of unit requirements, project selection, and understanding the voice of the customer. It then covers root cause analysis, problem definition, and drafting an improvement project outline. Further topics include experimentation, data analysis, continuous development, project and change management techniques, failure mode analysis, and team building. The unit concludes with a focus on safe working practices, British values, and independent study.
Apprentices completing this unit should understand project management, data analysis, and change management tools applicable to business improvement projects. They should also be able to communicate and apply different improvement approaches across functional areas to achieve business benefits.
This unit (30 credits) aims to equip apprentices with fundamental statistical methods and tools essential for data analysis and business improvement. The focus is on understanding measures of central tendency, spread, root cause analysis, and planning designed experiments. Additionally, apprentices will enhance their skills in using spreadsheets for data analysis. The syllabus covers a range of topics beginning with an introduction to unit requirements, basic data types, and sampling methods. It progresses through measures of central tendency and spread, graphical data representation, Six Sigma principles, and probability. Further topics include probability distributions, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, and the application of statistics to quality improvement and control charts.
By the end of the unit, apprentices should understand descriptive statistics and probability concepts and their use in monitoring and controlling processes. They should also be able to apply structured methods and improvement tools to deliver business benefits. The assessment consists of an individual report (20%) focusing on sample selection and statistical measures and a problem-based report (80%) on work-based improvement projects. The learning approach includes lectures and hands-on exercises using Excel, with an emphasis on applying classroom learning to workplace projects. Collaborative discussions and continuous learning are integral to the unit.
This unit (30 credits) focuses on developing essential professional and personal skills required for project management roles. Over 12 weeks, apprentices engage in topics like communication skills, time management, teamwork, leadership styles, ethical issues, and emotional intelligence. The unit encourages reflective practice and personal development planning, helping apprentices set and achieve professional goals. Through experiential learning, including class activities and group discussions, apprentices enhance their ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts.
This unit (30 credits) introduces apprentices to the diverse applications of project management. It aims to develop their understanding of various methodologies, tools, and techniques, emphasising practical application in the workplace. The syllabus includes an introduction to project management and methodologies like waterfall and agile, and hybrid; project feasibility, requirements, business case, project scoping, detailed project planning (including the Project Initiation Document, Work Breakdown Structure, Network Analysis, and Critical Path Analysis), risk and quality management, benefits management, project closure, and sustainability. Apprentices will learn to apply these techniques to specific projects, incorporating sustainability practices to enhance project outcomes. The unit's practical approach involves experiential learning through class activities, case studies, and group interactions, fostering collaboration and contextual understanding.
Meet your Course Coordinator
Get to know Omamode Orieno, your supportive mentor and Course Coordinator for the Improvement Practitioner 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 but all applicants need to remain employed within the workplace for the duration of the course, ideally for a minimum of 30hrs a week. Either before or during the apprenticeship, apprentices will be required to achieve level 2 qualifications in English and mathematics prior to taking the end point assessment.
Fee - Companies with a wage bill less than £3m will just pay £300, this is because the government funds 95% of the full fee. If you are a levy-payer then this apprenticeship will be £6,000 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.
