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Business Improvement Apprenticeships

Every process can work better. Develop the people who make it happen.

Two Lean Six Sigma apprenticeships that build improvement capability inside your organisation: from colleagues who fix problems in their own area, to specialists who lead strategic change and develop others.

Explore the ProgrammesDiscuss Your Requirements
DMAICDefineMeasureAnalyseImproveControlImproveand keep improving
Both apprenticeships are built on DMAIC, the structured Lean Six Sigma method for solving problems and making the gains stick.

Remove waste

Cut rework, waiting, duplication and unnecessary steps from everyday work.

Reduce variation

Make processes consistent so they deliver the right result first time.

Solve problems with data

Find and fix root causes instead of firefighting the same issues.

Make gains stick

Control plans and standard work keep improvements in place long after the project.

Impact on the work

What changes when your people can improve the way work gets done.

Apprentices apply every tool to real processes in your organisation during the programme, so the benefits start while they learn.

AreaWithout improvement capabilityWith an improvement apprentice
Recurring problemsThe same issues are firefought again and againRoot causes are found, verified and removed
DecisionsChanges are based on opinion or the loudest voiceChanges are based on measured data and tested ideas
ProcessesExtra steps, hand-offs, waiting and reworkMapped, simplified and standardised
QualityInconsistent results and avoidable errorsStable, capable processes that get it right first time
ImprovementsGains fade once the project team moves onControl plans keep improvements in place
CapabilityReliance on external consultants or one enthusiastIn-house people who lead improvement and coach others
The programmes

Two apprenticeships, two levels of impact.

Use them on their own or together to build improvement capability from the front line to the strategy.

LEVEL 3 · ST0193 · 12 MONTHS🔧

Improvement Technician

Develop colleagues who improve the processes in their own area using Lean and Six Sigma, and deliver a measurable workplace improvement.

FocusLocal, hands-on improvement
Level of practiceWidely associated with Yellow Belt
Best forCI co-ordinators, process technicians, quality analysts, operational team members
  • Remove waste with 5S, standard work and visual controls
  • Map processes and collect reliable data
  • Use control charts and root cause analysis
  • Deliver a live improvement project in their own area

The result: fewer errors, smoother processes and a colleague who keeps finding the next improvement.

Explore Improvement Technician
LEVEL 5 · ST0555 · 15 MONTHS📈

Improvement Specialist

Develop specialists who lead complex, strategic improvement, apply advanced statistics and build improvement capability in others.

FocusStrategic improvement and capability building
Level of practiceWidely associated with Black Belt
Best forCI consultants, process excellence managers, business improvement leads
  • Link improvement to strategy and business cases
  • Use MSA, hypothesis testing, regression and DOE
  • Prove process capability and control it with SPC
  • Lead teams, coach practitioners and train others

The result: bigger, better-chosen projects, decisions backed by statistics and a leader who multiplies improvement across the business.

Explore Improvement Specialist
Who benefits

Clear returns for the business and the employee.

🏢

For your business

  • Lower costs. Less rework, waste and time lost to recurring problems.
  • Better quality and service. More consistent processes and happier customers.
  • Released capacity. Teams spend time on valuable work instead of workarounds.
  • Real projects delivered. Every apprentice completes an improvement in your organisation.
  • In-house expertise. Less reliance on external consultants, with skills that stay.
  • An improvement culture. People who coach colleagues and spread better ways of working.
🙋

For your employee

  • A nationally recognised apprenticeship at Level 3 or Level 5.
  • Lean Six Sigma skills at the level of Yellow Belt or Black Belt practice.
  • Visible results. A completed, measurable project to show for their work.
  • Confidence with data and a structured way to tackle any problem.
  • Career progression into improvement, quality, operations and leadership roles.
  • Expert support from tutors and a development coach, with no tuition fees to pay.
Apprenticeship vs a Six Sigma certificate

Learning that changes the work, not just a certificate.

A short belt course teaches the tools. An improvement apprenticeship makes sure they are used, on your processes, with support until the results are proven.

Typical belt courseCity Skills improvement apprenticeship
LengthA few days of classroom training12–15 months of learning applied at work
ApplicationOften left to the delegate after the courseA live improvement project in your organisation
SupportEnds when the course endsTutors, a development coach and regular progress reviews
AssessmentVaries by providerIndependent assessment against a national standard
Wider skillsTools and techniquesTools plus project management, change, leadership and communication
FundingPaid directly by the employerEligible for apprenticeship funding
A complete improvement pathway

Fix it locally. Lead it strategically. Automate it.

The programmes build on each other, and connect to AI and automation when improvements are ready to scale.

STEP 1 · LEVEL 3

Improve the process

Improvement Technicians remove waste and fix problems in their own area.

Improvement Technician →STEP 2 · LEVEL 5

Lead the strategy

Improvement Specialists lead complex projects and grow capability across the business.

Improvement Specialist →ALONGSIDE · LEVEL 4

Automate the improvement

AI and Automation Practitioners turn improved processes into automated, scalable solutions.

AI and Automation Practitioner →
Designed around the workplace

How City Skills supports employers.

  • Help choosing the right programme for each employee
  • Co-planned off-the-job training that fits around the role
  • Support aligning projects with your business priorities
  • Fortnightly live virtual sessions with mixed-sector cohorts
  • Regular progress reviews with the apprentice, line manager and coach
  • Clear visibility of learner progress throughout
Which programme should you choose?

Start with the business problem you want to solve.

Do you need people to fix problems in their own area?Choose Improvement Technician (Level 3)
Do you need someone to lead complex improvement and develop others?Choose Improvement Specialist (Level 5)
Are your improved processes ready to automate?Choose AI and Automation Practitioner (Level 4)

Not sure which improvement apprenticeship fits?

Tell us about your people, processes and priorities. We’ll help you find the programme with the strongest fit and the clearest return.

Speak to City Skills

Or call us on 0203 870 4836

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