Improvement Specialist Apprenticeship - Level 5
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
The Improvement Specialist Level 5 Apprenticeship is designed to equip employees with the advanced skills, behaviours and knowledge needed to lead continuous improvement initiatives, deliver transformational change and drive operational excellence across an organisation.
Apprentices will:
- Develop advanced improvement leadership skills to drive sustainable business performance.
- Learn how to apply Lean Six Sigma methodologies to solve complex organisational challenges.
- Build confidence in leading improvement projects, influencing stakeholders and managing change.
- Achieve a nationally recognised Level 5 Apprenticeship and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
Organisations will:
- Develop internal specialists capable of leading strategic improvement initiatives.
- Improve productivity, quality and customer outcomes through structured improvement methodologies.
- Strengthen continuous improvement capability across departments and functions.
- Build a pipeline of future operational excellence and transformation leaders.
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Key Points
Route: Apprenticeship
Typical Duration: 14 – 18 months
Level of Delivery: Level 5
Funding Band: £9,000
Delivery: Blended onsite and online, instructor-led
Assessment: Professional discussion,underpinned by a portfolio of evidence and an examination,based on mini case-studies.
Professional Recognition: Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
Progression Opportunities: Continuous Improvement Manager, Operational Excellence Manager, Business Improvement Manager, Transformation Manager, Head of Continuous Improvement, Strategic Improvement Lead, Operational Excellence Director.
Improvement Specialist Apprenticeship Course Overview
The Improvement Specialist Level 5 apprenticeship develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to lead improvement activities, deliver business transformation and drive sustainable operational excellence across an organisation.
The programme covers the following topics:
- Continuous Improvement Strategy and Deployment
- Lean Six Sigma Tools and Methodologies
- Data Analysis and Performance Measurement
- Root Cause Analysis and Problem Solving
- Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
- Change Management and Improvement Leadership
- Process Mapping and Operational Analysis
- Project and Risk Management
- Coaching and Facilitation Skills
- Personal Effectiveness and Professional Practice
The programme combines structured learning with practical workplace application, enabling apprentices to lead significant improvement initiatives and deliver measurable organisational benefits.
At CQM, we believe Improvement Specialists are critical to long-term organisational success. They act as the catalyst for change, helping businesses improve performance, eliminate waste, increase efficiency and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
Our approach positions improvement as a strategic capability, ensuring apprentices not only develop advanced technical knowledge but also the leadership and influencing skills needed to drive meaningful and sustainable business transformation.
Who Is The Improvement Specialist Apprenticeship For?
The Level 5 Improvement Specialist Apprenticeship is designed to upskill new and existing employees whose role involves leading improvement activity, driving operational excellence and delivering organisational change.
This programme is suitable for individuals responsible for managing improvement projects, influencing performance, delivering strategic initiatives and embedding continuous improvement practices across teams, departments or organisations.
The programme is particularly valuable for individuals looking to strengthen their leadership capability, develop advanced Lean Six Sigma expertise and progress into senior operational, improvement or transformation roles.
This programme is suitable for:
- Continuous Improvement Managers
- Business Improvement Managers
- Operational Excellence Practitioners
- Transformation Leads
- Programme and Project Managers
- Quality and Performance Managers
- Experienced Improvement Technicians seeking progression
Future Career paths include:
- Continuous Improvement Manager
- Operations Excellence Manager
- Business Improvement Manager
- Transformation Manager
- Head of Continuous Improvement
- Strategic Improvement Lead
- Operational Excellence Director
- Business Transformation Director
Entry requirements:
Delegates should be employed in a suitable role that enables them to lead or support significant improvement activity and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the apprenticeship standard. Learners should have opportunities to influence stakeholders, manage projects and apply improvement methodologies within their organisation.
English and Maths Functional Skills can be worked towards as part of the apprenticeship programme where required.
Improvement Specialist Outcomes
The Improvement Specialist Level 5 apprenticeship is funded through the Apprenticeship Levy, helping organisations develop highly capable improvement professionals who can drive performance, lead change and deliver strategic business improvement.
Investing in this Improvement Specialist Level 5 apprenticeship means your organisation can:
- Develop internal experts capable of leading large-scale improvement initiatives.
- Deliver measurable improvements in productivity, quality, cost and customer performance.
- Build sustainable continuous improvement capability across the organisation.
- Strengthen leadership of change and transformation programmes.
- Reduce operational inefficiencies through structured improvement methodologies.
- Create a strong pipeline of future operational excellence and business transformation leaders.
The Improvement Specialist apprenticeship is a funded vocational training programme designed by industry stakeholders to provide apprentices with advanced knowledge of Lean Six Sigma, operational excellence and business transformation. Apprentices gain practical, real-world experience leading improvement activity and delivering measurable organisational benefits.
This programme is particularly valuable for individuals who want to become recognised improvement leaders, influence strategic decision-making and drive sustainable organisational change.
Key outcomes for delegates include:Â
- Leading complex improvement projects and transformation initiatives.
- Applying advanced Lean Six Sigma methodologies to solve business challenges.
- Influencing stakeholders and managing organisational change effectively.
- Using data and performance measures to drive decision making.
- Coaching and developing improvement capability in others.
- Delivering measurable business benefits through structured improvement activity.
- Gaining a nationally recognised Level 5 apprenticeship and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
Improvement Specialist Delivery Team
The programme is delivered through a blend of online workshops, workplace coaching, practical project delivery and one-to-one support over a typical duration of 14-18 months. Designed to fit around the apprentice’s role, the learning experience enables learners to develop new knowledge and skills while applying them directly to strategic improvement opportunities within their organisation.
Throughout the programme, learners are supported by experienced CQM development coaches who provide guidance, challenge and practical industry insights to help embed learning into real-world improvement activities. This approach combines structured learning with workplace application, ensuring apprentices build both technical expertise and leadership capability.
Regular reviews, coaching sessions and structured feedback ensure apprentices remain on track, demonstrate progress against the apprenticeship standard and achieve meaningful results for both themselves and their organisation. Learners are supported throughout their journey to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become successful improvement and transformation leaders.
Download our Improvement Specialist Programme Brochure
Explore the programme in greater detail, including:
- The complete programme journey
- How continuous improvement methodologies drive organisational performance, transformation and sustainable change
- Coverage of the apprenticeship duties and knowledge, skills and behaviours
- Leading improvement projects through data analysis, stakeholder engagement and effective change managemen
Speak to an Expert About Our Improvement Technician Apprenticeship Today
The Improvement Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship is most valuable when the individual’s role, development needs and workplace opportunities are closely aligned.
Our team will work with you to understand the capability you want to develop, assess the suitability of potential apprentices and explore how the programme could support your wider improvement, change or transformation priorities.
Speak to a CQM apprenticeship expert about developing professionals who can lead complex improvement programmes, use data and insight to drive strategic decision-making, engage stakeholders at all levels and deliver sustainable organisational change.
Download Our Open Programme Schedule 2026/27
Testimonials
I think participating in the L5 Improvement Specialist apprenticeship with CQM has benefited me in a number of ways.
It has given me the opportunity to broaden my network of contacts and industry knowledge beyond the boundaries of Travis Perkins.
It has forced me to move outside of my comfort zone e.g. being a coach to other trainees when I don’t necessarily feel like an expert myself….yet!
I think the programme has brought structure to my ways of working, given me tools to use in my daily working life and has reinforced the importance of data and facts.
The application of these tools will enable the resolution of a problem that has been unsuccessfully attempted in the past, driving real business value.
Improvement Specialist Apprenticeship FAQs
What is an improvement specialist?
Improvement specialists are responsible for leading the deployment of improvement strategy using advanced Lean and Six Sigma methodologies and project management principles to achieve key business goals.
Do I need prior Lean Six Sigma experience before starting?
While some familiarity with process improvement is helpful, the programme is designed to build your skills from foundations through to advanced Black Belt-level techniques and methodologies.
How does this apprenticeship differ from traditional Lean Six Sigma training courses?
Unlike short courses, this apprenticeship provides in-depth, applied learning over an extended period, embedding knowledge and skills through live business projects, mentoring, and formal qualification pathways.
Improvement Practitioner Level 4 (Green Belt)
This Apprenticeship programme is ideal for those responsible for the delivery and coaching of improvement activity within their area of authority. Improvement Practitioners use a blend of Lean and Six Sigma, project and change management principles and tools to identify and lead the delivery of change across organisational functions and processes.
Improvement Leader Level 6 (Master Black Belt)
This Apprenticeship programme is ideal for those who are responsible for developing improvement strategy, providing leadership in improvement for the business and for coaching and supporting Improvement Specialists in advanced analysis. The Improvement Leader typically reports to Board members or Heads of Department and manages (directly and/or matrix) a team of Improvement Specialists (Black Belts).
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Apprenticeship Levy provides funding for investment into Apprenticeship programmes, so it is really important to understand your current position.