Level 3 Improvement Technician Apprenticeship
Programme Duration:14 months plus up to 3 months for End Point Assessment
Programmedelivery
Whatwillbe achieved?
Upon completion of your apprenticeship, you will receive:
Level 3 Improvement Technician Standard
Level 2 Functional Skillsin English and/or mathematics (if not exempt)
As well as achieving your certificate(s) you will gain skills in problem-solving, communication and presentation, working with others and change management
This programme is delivered using a blended learning approach, combining face-to-face tutorials with online learning resources and support including:
Tutorials and one-to-one mentoring E-portfolio and e-learning
Additional learning and training arranged by your employer, this may include job shadowing/in house training programmes relevant to the course and dedicated time in your day to study, of at least 6 hours per week
2-hour one-to-one visits every 4 to 6 weeks with a dedicated tutor and formal quarterly progress reviews with your manager and tutor.
Theapprenticeshipjourney
The Level 3 Improvement Technician apprenticeship standard sets out the knowledge, skills and behaviours that is required to be an effective improvement champion. The programme has been structured around three key themes of learning to support learners develop their knowledge and skills in a logical manner:
The Principles of
and
Identify the
and
Data Collection
Identification, Prioritisation and Action Planning
Trialing and Experimentation (PDSA Cycles) Implementation and Confirmation
Sustaining Improvement and Control
Benchmarking, Scale-Up and Spread
Reviewing, and A3 Reporting Methodology
Whoistheprogrammeforandwhatwillbeinvolved?
Improvement Technicians are responsible for delivery and coaching of improvement activity within an area of responsibility, often associated with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. They can be found across all industry sectors and functions including automotive, banking, engineering, food products, IT, property, retail, telecoms etc.
Typically, Technicians work as a member of an operational team to resolve problems - preventing re-occurrence, engaging others in issues affecting them and to support the improvement of performance. Typical activities include:
Engaging team members in the identification of improvement opportunities and relevant countermeasures and controls
Initiating and facilitating improvement activities through to confirmed resolution Providing local expertise in business improvement methods and basic tools to team
Learners will be assigned a qualified tutor to provide them with help and support delivered by a blended learning approach combining on and off-the-job training to ensure they develop the skills required for their role. Learners with support from their tutor, as needed, complete a range of online learning modules that develop their underpinning knowledge of a broad range of management tasks and concepts. The learning from these topics is holistically assessed through the completion of a range of formal assessment tasks that contribute to their portfolio of evidence and presentations. To achieve this, learners must have at least 6 hours of protected study time each week.
In addition to developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to be a successful Improvement Technician, learners will need to achieve level 2 Functional Skills qualifications in English and maths and be committed to achieving these qualifications in the first nine months of their apprenticeship (unless they have GCSE equivalents at grades 9 - 4/A* - C in these subjects).
Learners will develop competence and confidence at work with a range of resources designed to allow access to online learning, videos, workshops and more.
EndPointAssessment(EPA)
This programme is formally assessed by an independent end point assessor using three methods weighted 10%, 60% and 30% respectively
Multiple Choice Exam (10%)
The multiple-choice examination will contain 40 knowledge-based questions and have a time limit of 40-minutes.
The multiple-choice examination is an open book exam. Reference books can be used but access to the internet is prohibited.
Project Report, Presentation and Questioning (60%)
The report must follow each step of one of the recognised problem-solving methodologies e.g. ‘Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control’ (DMAIC), ‘8 Disciples (8D)’, ‘Practical Problem Solving’.
The report should:
•Be a concise, visual summary
•Follow the principles of “A3 Thinking”
•Convey key points in a way that enables messages to be grasped “within 3 seconds”
•Be typically one to three sides of A3
The apprentice will have to produce a presentation based on the project report and deliver this to the end point assessor who will then be able to question the apprentice based upon the information contained in the presentation.
Professional Discussion underpinned by CPD Log (30%)
The log will typically reference between 13 and 15 pieces of evidence, with at least one piece covering each of the standards. The log will then be used as the focal point of the professional discussion and as such will not be assessed in itself as a separate assessment method.
The independent assessor will ask the apprentice between 13 and 15 open questions relating to the log and can if deemed necessary, ask further follow-up questions for clarification to elicit evidence that all the required standards have been attained.
LEVEL 3 IMPROVEMENT TECHNICIAN
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME MATRIX
influence, support and coach others
Learning topics:
• The Principles of Continuous Improvement
• Team Formation and Leadership
• Change Management
• Identify the Problem and Validate
• Containment Action Planning and Compliance
Introduction modules:
• Introduction to your course
• Safeguarding
• Online safety
• British values and Prevent strategy
• Equality and diversity
• Introduction to Functional skills
• Take control of your future
• Data Collection Planning
• Voice of the Customer (VoC)
Written Assignment tasks to be completed and submitted via Aptem
• Task 1 - CI Principles
• Task 2 - Team Formation and Leadership
• Task 3 - Change Management
• Task 4 - Identify the Problem and Validate
• Task 5 - Containment Action Planning and Compliance
• Task 6 - Data Collection Planning
• Task 7 - Voice of the Customer (VoC)
• Complete 3 CPD Logs covering Team Formation, Change Management and Compliance
• Collect evidence of planning and the tools you have used
(Theme 1)
• Data Analysis • Process Mapping
• Project Management Methodology and Tools
• Root Cause Analysis and Lean Tools
• Identification, Prioritisation and Action Planning
• Trialling and Experimentation (PDSA Cycles)
• Implementation and Confirmation
Written Assignment tasks to be completed and submitted via Aptem
• Task 1 - Data Analysis
• Task 2 - Process Mapping
• Task 3 - Project Management Methodology and Tools
• Task 4 - Root Cause Analysis and Lean Tools
• Task 5 - Identification, Prioritisation and Action Planning
• Task 6 - Trialling and Experimentation (PDSA Cycles)
• Task 7 - Implementation and Confirmation
• Complete 7 CPD logs reflecting on the tools your have used
• Collect evidence of data analysis, root cause analysis, testing and implementation and the tools you have used
Learning topics:
• Sustaining Improvement and Control
• Benchmarking, Scale-Up and Spread
• Reviewing, and A3 Reporting Methodology
Written Assignment tasks to be completed and submitted via Aptem
• Complete 3 CPD logs reflecting on sustaining the change and reporting
• Create an A3 report from your Improvement Project
• Complete an evidence mapping matrix
Live Assessment Day (LAD): Method 2:Project Presentation and Questioning Assessment
To assess skills and behaviours concerning project improvement
Lasts up to 75 minutes 40 minute presentation and 35 minutes of questioning
Behaviours developed throughout programme:
Throughout you apprenticeship you will develop and demonstrate the following behaviours
• Drive for results: Clear commitment for identifying opportunities and delivering improvements, pays attention to detail
• Team-working: Helps when asked, works effectively in a diverse team, considers impact of own actions on others, motivates peers
• Professionalism: Acts in a moral, legal and socially appropriate manner, aligns behaviours to the organisations values, trusted to working on own when appropriate
• Continuous development: Acts upon feedback, reflects on performance and has a desire for learning
• Safe working : Ensures safety of self and others, challenges safety
Development of English and maths skills
•Speaking, listening and communication assesment to be completed by month 4
•Reading, writing and/or maths exams to be completed by month 9
