Improvement Technician

The Improvement Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship is tailored to provide individuals with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed to thrive in roles centred on driving operational enhancements and increasing efficiency within businesses. This apprenticeship covers an extensive range of subjects, including basic project and change management, lean tools, data acquisition for analysis, statistics and measures, and process optimisation methods.

Upon successful completion of the Improvement Technician apprenticeship, apprentices will have a solid understanding of the core concepts of business improvement. They will be equipped to participate in and support improvement initiatives across various sectors, such as manufacturing, IT, facilities, and public services.

Improvement Technicians will work as a member in streamlining operations, improving workflow efficiency, and advocating for innovation within their respective organisations. The skills acquired will significantly contribute to ensuring business operations adhere to strategic goals, meet regulatory requirements, and promote an environment receptive to continuous improvement and growth. As a result, their vital contributions will serve to elevate overall business performance, heighten the level of customer satisfaction, and ultimately strengthen the financial robustness of the organisation.

This apprenticeship programme has the addition of a yellow six sigma belt certification which equips apprentices with the foundational knowledge in six sigma methodologies.

Typical activities include:

Identifying areas for improvement within a business
Analysing solutions to overcome the limitations within an organisation
Implementing the solutions to improve the efficiency, quality and competitiveness of an organisation

Apprenticeship standards encompass three main facets: Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours, each tailored to the industry and profession in question. The core topics covered for the Improvement Technician Level 3 apprenticeships are:

Knowledge

Compliance
Self-development
Principles & Methods
Project Selection & Scope
Problem Definition
Data Acquisition for Analysis
Basic Statistics & Measures
Process Capability & Performance

Skills

Communication
Project Management
Change Management
Project Selection and Scoping
Voice of the Customer
Process Mapping & Analysis
Data Acquisition for Analysis
Data Analysis- Statistical Methods
Benchmarking
Sustainability & Control

Behaviours

Drive for Results
Team-working
Professionalism
Process Thinking
Continuous Development
Safe Working

The training is a blended learning delivery model, which occurs on the job during working hours. A structured learning and assessment plan is put in place to test core components of the course along the way.

This consists of:

1-to-1 monthly meeting: Approx. two hours with a GLP Trainer (face-to-face or telephone)
Online learning courses and/or group sessions
Building an electronic portfolio of work-related evidence
Maths and English Level 2 (if not previously achieved)
6 hours a week spent working towards your apprenticeship.
End Point Assessment by an external examiner to complete the qualification, consisting of a resourcing project assignment and a professional discussion

To achieve the qualification, within which you can either get a result of Pass, Distinction or Fail, you will be assessed both throughout the period of your apprenticeships, as well as in the final stages with an End Point Assessment (EPA).

End Point Assessment:

The EPA period will only start once the employer is satisfied that the apprentice is consistently working at or above the level set out in the occupational standard. In addition, the apprentice must have completed the following gateway requirements prior to beginning EPA:

Achieved Functional Skills Qualification (if required to do so).

The end point assessment process which typically takes 3 months and is carried out by Academy 4 Project Management consists of three components:

A Knowledge Test

The first assessment for this course will be in the form of a multiple-choice examination.

Project Report, Presentation and Questioning

A report will be created by the learner, they will present their findings and receive questions based on the report they have created.

Professional Discussion underpinned by Portfolio of Evidence

Throughout your apprenticeship, you will gather evidence and information that forms your portfolio, and this will be used for your professional discussion. This discussion/interview with your assessor allows you to showcase everything you have learned over the course of the programme.

The combined score of these three methods will provide the final grade for the apprenticeship.

APPRENTICESHIP

Improvement Technician

Responsible for delivery and coaching of improvement activity within an area of responsibility.

Level

3

Duration

14+ months

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Download our 2023-2024 prospectus

Download a detailed course guide

Improvement Technician

3

14+ months

Apprenticeships

RESOURCES

Consulting