Qualification

Improvement Leaders have high-level expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, Project and Change management and are recognised as the specialists in leading improvement strategy.

Improvement Leaders are responsible for developing the improvement strategy, providing leadership in improvement for the business and for coaching and supporting Improvement Specialists in advanced analysis.

The Improvement Leader typically reports to Board members or Heads of Department and manages (directly and/or matrix) a team of Improvement Specialists, who deploy the strategy, and lead improvement projects through Improvement Practitioners.

They work closely with all functions of the business to support the setting and achievement of business goals, often accountable for Improvement activities within the largest-scale and highest priority programmes of work. For example, they may develop top-level Value Stream Maps to identify improvement opportunities that are then scoped into projects to be delivered by Improvement Specialists or they may design new products/ processes/ services.

The role is typically office-based but involves working wherever their improvement activities are focussed for example they could be working on the shop floor or at customer/supplier premises.

• Developing Improvement strategy and providing leadership in improvement for the business
• Developing processes and resources to support improvement strategy deployment such as guidance for structured project reviews
• Training, coaching and mentoring Improvement Specialists and senior stakeholders
• Designing and sourcing training solutions for the business
• Leading large-scale, complex Improvement activities
• Managing a team of Improvement Specialists

Full details here: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/improvement-leader/

Programme Content

• L6 Improvement Leader
• L2 Functional Skills Maths
• L2 Functional Skills English

Duration

Typically, apprentices will on programme for 18-24 months working towards the apprenticeship standard, with a minimum of 20% of this time being off-the-job training.

Structure

End Point Assessment

The EPA consists of two distinct assessment methods:

• Professional discussion, underpinned by portfolio of evidence
• 5,000-word Dissertation, presentation, and questioning

20% Off the Job Training

Throughout the qualification learners are expected to commit to and complete 20% off the job training.

Off-the-job training is training received by the learner, during the learner’s paid hours, for the purpose of achieving their apprenticeship.

Off-the-job training must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard and teach new knowledge, skills and behaviours required to reach competence in the management sector.