Lead Meaningful Change with the Level 4 Improvement Practitioner Apprenticeship
Equip your teams with the tools to analyse, optimise, and improve critical business processes
The Level 4 Improvement Practitioner Apprenticeship is designed for professionals tasked with delivering measurable improvements to systems, processes, and team performance. Blending Lean, Six Sigma, project management, and change leadership principles, this programme creates confident problem-solvers capable of leading sustainable transformation.
Ideal for experienced operatives, technicians, facilitators, co-ordinators or project managers, the apprenticeship gives learners the frameworks, data tools, and facilitation skills to drive business process improvement across the organisation.
Who This Programme Is For
This apprenticeship is ideal for:
- Employees leading change or improvement projects
- Supervisors, quality leads, CI practitioners, or operational support roles
- Learners with previous Lean exposure who want to advance their capability
- Teams seeking a formal qualification to support strategic improvement work
Participants should be confident working with others and managing small projects. This is not an entry-level course, it’s for those ready to take ownership of improvement outcomes.
What Learners Will Gain
Over 12 months, learners will:
- Lead a change management process from problem identification to solution implementation
- Create business process maps to visualise and analyse current state vs ideal workflows
- Optimise processes for quality, efficiency, and repeatability
- Use structured data analysis to guide decision-making and prioritise effort
- Deliver project management documentation including plans, reports, and stakeholder comms
- Facilitate improvement workshops to engage cross-functional teams
- Align solutions to broader business improvement strategies
All content is aligned to employer goals and tailored to the learner’s sector, from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and service.
Programme Structure & Content
Foundations (Months 1–3)
- Introduction to improvement roles, responsibilities, and behaviours
- Core concepts: Lean, Six Sigma, value stream mapping
- Baseline data capture and project scoping
Application Phase (Months 4–10)
- Business Process Mapping – current vs future state
- Problem solving tools: 5 Whys, Fishbone, A3
- Change management frameworks (ADKAR, Kotter, etc.)
- Data Analysis and KPI Measurement – identifying trends, causes, outcomes
- Risk and stakeholder management
- Project Management Skills – planning, delivery, governance
Assessment & Impact (Months 10-12)
- Implementation of a live Business Improvement Strategy project
- Written project report
- Presentation and professional discussion with assessor
On-site coaching and remote support are provided throughout. Functional Skills support is also available for Maths and English at Level 2.
Key Topics Covered
- Change Management Process – How to engage teams, overcome resistance, and embed new ways of working
- Business Process Mapping – Visualise and analyse value streams, handovers, delays, and variation
- Process Standardisation and Optimisation – Define best practice and create sustainable systems
- Project Management – Control scope, time, resources, and risk in improvement initiatives
- Data-Driven Decision Making – Use statistical tools and dashboards to drive insight
- Business Improvement Strategy – Align efforts with broader organisational priorities
Why Choose CLS?
- Experienced Improvement Coaches – Our trainers have led CI initiatives in global companies
- Hands-On Delivery – Learners apply tools directly to real challenges within your organisation
- Structured, Measurable Impact – All apprentices complete a defined project with ROI
- Accredited, Recognised Results – Includes Level 4 certification and mapped to national standards
- Flexible Delivery – Online resources, on-site coaching, and tailored delivery models
Case Example: Data-Led Process Optimisation
A CLS apprentice in the medical device sector led a project to streamline documentation processes using process mapping and stakeholder engagement. By reducing cycle time from 12 days to 6, the team cut errors by 60% and improved compliance reporting, saving over £80,000 annually while enhancing regulatory confidence.
Outcomes and Recognition
- Level 4 Improvement Practitioner apprenticeship Certificate
- Leading and managing improvement projects using complex problem solving and six sigma techniques
- Increased internal capability to lead business improvement strategies
- Learners regularly progress into roles such as CI Lead, Project Manager, or Business Analyst
Funding & Investment
- Fully funded via apprenticeship levy for most employers
- Up to 95% government-funded for non-levy payers
- CLS manages enrolment, skills scans, progress tracking, and End Point Assessment preparation
Start dates are flexible and we work around shift patterns and operational priorities to minimise disruption.
Get Started in 4 Simple Steps
- Talk to us – Let’s assess suitability and project fit, we develop a programme to suit you
- Candidate Enrolment – Includes Functional Skills assessment and skills gap analysis
- Programme Launch – Online and on-site sessions begin
- Ongoing Support – Project coaching, tracking, and performance reporting
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Find out how CLS can help your team lead smarter, data-informed improvements that deliver measurable business value.