Level 5 (at end of programme)
20 months duration
depending on prior learning & off-site-training
£9,000 funding band maximum
available from Apprenticeship Levy
Level 5 Improvement Specialist
Leading the deployment of improvement strategies.
Occupational summary
Improvement Specialists are responsible for leading the deployment of improvement strategy, for training others and for providing broad and deep technical expertise in advanced and complex Lean and Six Sigma, Project and Change Management principles and tools to enable identification and delivery of improvement opportunities aligned to key business goals.
Typical jobs include: Business Improvement Consultant, Continuous Improvement Consultant, Process Excellence Manager, Business Transformation Consultant, Environmental Manager, Environmental Data Analyst, Environmental Health and Safety Manager.
Knowledge:
Improvement Specialists will develop the capability to lead effective improvement teams by understanding team dynamics, motivation, and coaching. They will manage complex projects through robust planning, risk management, and change strategies. They will use their awareness of commercial and regulatory environments to align improvements with business needs using structured methodologies, Lean principles, and customer insight tools. Improvement Specialists will apply data acquisition and statistical techniques to assess process stability, capability, and root causes. They will plan and analyse experiments, prioritise improvements using creative tools, implement failure mode avoidance methods, and ensure sustainability through control and prevention planning.
For a full list of knowledge the Improvement Specialist will demonstrate, please view the occupational standard held by Skills England.
Skills:
Improvement Specialists will demonstrate the ability to lead improvement teams by holding stakeholders accountable and fostering effective relationships. They will support strategic deployment of continuous improvement, communicate clearly through concise proposals, and share progress using appropriate formats. Improvement specialists will train and guide others in selecting and applying improvement tools and methods, manage multi-stakeholder projects, and design effective engagement and communication strategies. They will scope and prioritise improvement opportunities aligned with organisational goals, lead process mapping, and plan Lean deployments with relevant performance metrics. They ensure accurate interpretation of data, root cause identification, and performance measurement. They will conduct and optimise experiments, apply Statistical Process Control, and guide benchmarking. Finally, they will lead failure mode avoidance, support control planning, and embed learning to ensure long-term sustainability of improvements.
For a full list of skills the Improvement Specialist will demonstrate, please view the occupational standard held by Skills England.
Behaviours:
Improvement Specialists will display a strong drive for results by leading cross-functional teams, inspiring stakeholders, and delivering sustained improvements with a proactive, can-do attitude. They will exemplify professionalism, integrity, and trust while remaining adaptable to business needs. They promote data-driven, customer-focused decision-making. They will model continuous development for themselves and others and take a proactive approach to safety, encouraging compliance and suggesting improvements.
For a full list of behaviours the Improvement Specialist will display, please view the occupational standard held by Skills England.
Entry requirements
- Employers have discretion to set their own entry criteria for this apprenticeship.
Progression routes
- Following successful completion of endpoint assessment the apprentice will hold a level 5 apprenticeship qualification.
- Further development can be achieved through the Level 6 Improvement Leader apprenticeship.
Training providers:
Training provider analysis
Next steps
This programme starts in September 2025 and is recruiting now.
For more information, please contact us at apprenticeshipsinfo@ct.catapult.org.uk