Improvement Apprenticeship for Team Leaders - Level 3
Our funded Team Level 3 Improvement Apprenticeship for Team Leaders programme has been designed to develop confident, capable team leaders who can effectively manage people, improve operational performance and deliver measurable business improvements.
Apprentices will:
- Develop the leadership and management skills needed to lead teams with confidence and accountability.
- Learn practical continuous improvement techniques to solve problems and deliver measurable results.
- Gain nationally recognised qualifications while applying learning directly within the workplace.
Organisations will:
- Develop stronger team leaders capable of managing performance and engaging their teams.
- Benefit from workplace improvement projects that drive productivity, quality and efficiency.
- Build a pipeline of future leaders equipped to support long-term business success.
Key Points
Route: Apprenticeship
Typical Duration: 12-15 Months
Level of Delivery: Level 3
Funding Band: £4,000
Delivery: Blended onsite and online, instructor-led
Assessment: Multiple-choice examination, a project report with presentation and questioning, and a professional discussion underpinned by a work log
Professional Recognition: CMI Level 3 Leadership & Management qualification & Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt accreditation
Progression Opportunities: Mid-senior leadership opportunities, continuous improvement leadership pathways
Improvement Apprenticeship for Team Leaders Course Overview
Strong frontline leadership is critical to organisational success. Team leaders and supervisors play a vital role in communicating expectations, managing performance, supporting employee development and maintaining productivity.
Following the withdrawal of funding for the Team Leader Level 3 apprenticeship, many organisations have been left without a direct route to develop new and aspiring managers.
This programme has been specifically designed by CQM in collaboration with our clients and partner networks to fill that gap, combining leadership capability with continuous improvement skills that enable learners to identify inefficiencies, solve problems and deliver measurable workplace results.
Apprentices build capability in:
- Leadership, team management and performance accountability
- Coaching, mentoring and developing others
- Effective communication and stakeholder engagement
- Managing team performance and conducting difficult conversations
- Decision-making, problem solving and prioritisation
- Leading workplace improvement projects and change initiatives
- Applying Lean and Six Sigma improvement methodologies
- Root cause analysis and structured continuous improvement techniques
- Building high-performing, engaged and accountable teams
- Planning personal development and supporting the growth of other
The programme combines structured learning with practical workplace application, enabling delegates to apply leadership tools and continuous improvement techniques directly within their own organisation. Participants will achieve upon completion:
- Improvement Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship
- CMI Level 3 Leadership & Management Qualification*
- Optional Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Accreditation
*Learners completing the programme will be eligible for a CMI award and may choose to progress to a certificate or diploma. Download our programme brochure using the button below or contact our friendly team to find out more.
Our approach positions this programme within a broader continuous improvement context, ensuring apprentices not only develop recognised leadership capability, but also understand how to use data, KPIs and lean thinking to sustain performance and lead meaningful change.
Who Is The Programme For?
The Improvement Apprenticeship for Team Leaders Level 3 programme is designed to develop new and existing team leaders, supervisors and first-line managers who are responsible for leading people, managing performance and delivering operational results.
This programme is suitable for individuals who currently hold, or are progressing towards, responsibility for team leadership, employee development, performance management and continuous improvement activities within their organisation.
The programme is particularly valuable for those looking to strengthen their leadership and management skills, build confidence in managing people, and develop the ability to lead improvement projects that deliver measurable business benefits. By combining practical leadership development with structured continuous improvement methodologies, learners gain the skills needed to improve team performance, solve workplace challenges and drive positive change.
This programme is suitable for:
- Team Leaders
- Supervisors
- First-Line Managers
- Shift Leaders and Shift Managers
- Operational Team Leaders
- Aspiring Managers and Future Leaders
- Individuals responsible for team performance, employee development and workplace improvement
Future Career paths include:
- Senior Team Leader
- Operations Supervisor
- Department Manager
- Production Manager
- Continuous Improvement Practitioner
- Improvement Technician
- Operations Manager
- Project Lead
Entry requirements:
Delegates should be in a suitable role that enables them to apply the knowledge, skills and behaviours developed throughout the apprenticeship.
English and Maths Functional Skills Level 2 can be worked towards as part of the apprenticeship programme.
Improvement Apprenticeship for Team Leaders Level 3 Programme Outcomes
By developing confident team leaders with strong people management and continuous improvement skills, organisations can improve performance, strengthen culture and create a pipeline of future leadership talent. The Team Leadership & Improvement Level 3 Programme is designed to generate measurable outcomes for employers through improved leadership capability, greater operational effectiveness and sustainable workplace improvements.
Key outcomes for employers include:Â
- Develop leaders who communicate effectively, make informed decisions and confidently manage teams.Â
- Equip employees with practical improvement tools that drive measurable business results.Â
- Create positive workplace cultures that support development, morale and retention.Â
- Establish leadership standards that improve performance management and accountability across teams.Â
- Generate real operational benefits through structured workplace improvement projects.
- Build internal talent capable of progressing into senior leadership positions.
This programme provides delegates with the knowledge, skills and confidence to become more effective leaders within their organisation. Through a combination of leadership development, continuous improvement training and workplace application, learners develop practical capabilities that can be applied immediately to improve team performance, solve operational challenges and support business success. By the end of the programme, delegates will be equipped to lead with confidence, drive improvement and take the next step in their leadership career.
Key outcomes for delegates include:Â
- Develop leadership behaviours that inspire performance and engagement while adapting leadership styles to different situations.
- Set expectations, manage performance, support development and create positive team cultures.
- Use proven improvement tools and techniques to identify root causes and implement sustainable solutions.
- Complete a workplace improvement project that creates tangible benefits such as Increased productivity, improved quality, reduced waste or enhanced operational performance.
- Build the confidence, skills and qualifications needed for future leadership and management opportunities.
The Apprenticeship Delivery Team
At CQM Training & Consultancy, our development coaches are not just highly qualified to teach and coach, they have significant and relevant industry experience in manufacturing, operations leadership, lean practices and continuous improvement. They are expertly positioned to understand what delegates are going through and the challenges they face in leading teams and managing operational performance day to day. Our development coaches offer specific insights into overcoming industry-specific challenges and use relevant real-life examples throughout every aspect of their programme delivery.
The programme is delivered through a blend of online workshops, group coaching, workplace application and one-to-one support over a typical duration of 12–15 months. Designed to fit around an individual’s role, the learning experience enables delegates to develop new knowledge and skills while applying them directly to real workplace challenges and improvement opportunities.Â
Throughout the programme, learners are supported by experienced CQM development coaches who provide guidance and practical insights to help embed learning into day-to-day leadership activities.Â
Regular reviews, coaching sessions and structured feedback ensure delegates remain on track, build confidence and achieve meaningful results for both themselves and their organisation.
Download Our Improvement Apprenticeship for Team Leaders Brochure
Download Our Open Programme Schedule 2026/27
Improvement Apprenticeship for Team Leaders Programme FAQs
What is an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship standards have been created by industry for industry, to reduce the skills gap and provide the relevant Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs) to support organisational challenges and goals. They are designed to develop talent and industry-specific skills that businesses need to grow and develop.
Is the Improvement Apprenticeship for Team Leaders Level 3 Programme Funded?
The programme is delivered through the Improvement Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship, enabling eligible employers to access apprenticeship funding while also developing leadership capability.Â
What Qualification Will Learners Achieve?
Learners achieve the Improvement Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship alongside a CMI Level 3 Leadership & Management qualification, with the option to gain Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt accreditation.Â
How Long Does the Programme Take?
Most learners complete the programme within 12 to 15 months, including assessment.Â
Who is this Programme Suitable For?
The Improvement Apprenticeship for Team Leaders Level 3 Programme is designed for team leaders, supervisors, first-line managers and aspiring leaders who are responsible for managing people, supporting performance and delivering operational results. It is ideal for individuals looking to develop their leadership capability, build confidence in managing teams and learn practical improvement techniques that can be applied within the workplace. The programme is suitable for both newly appointed and experienced leaders seeking to strengthen their management skills and drive measurable business improvements.Â
Process Leader Level 4
This Apprenticeship Programme is ideal for individuals who are responsible for leading teams within a manufacturing or processing environment and are looking to develop their leadership, operational, and continuous improvement skills.Â
Improvement Specialist Level 5
This Apprenticeship Programme is ideal for individuals leading strategic improvement activity across operations, projects and business functions. Improvement Specialists drive complex improvement initiatives, using advanced problem-solving and analytical techniques to deliver measurable organisational impact.Â
Need guidance on your Levy Spend?
Download our detailed Levy Calculator now to accurately plan and forecast your ongoing monthly, and annual spend on Apprenticeship programmes.
Apprenticeship Levy provides funding for investment into Apprenticeship programmes, so it is really important to understand your current position.