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Improvement Practitioner (Level 4)

Aimed at those who want to develop higher-level problem solving and process improvement capability. Includes project and change management, team leadership, and coaching. You’ll identify and scope an improvement project, following a structured problem-solving methodology, with guidance and support from your tutor.

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Description

THIS APPRENTICESHIP STANDARD WILL BE DE‑FUNDED BY SEPTEMBER 2026. However, this provider will continue to offer this programme for privately financed applications from September 2026 until November 2026. Please email [email protected] with any queries.

Additional

Apprenticeship

Improvement Practitioner
Education Provider

Capella
Location

Online
Duration
18 months
Most Suitable For
Those in roles who require them to identify a process or product which they can improve and lead the delivery of change across organisational functions and processes
Award
Level 4 Improvement Practitioner Higher Apprenticeships Award Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Programme Cost

£6,000.

Tuition fee financial support options, and how to apply for most of these, are detailed in our Apprenticeships Process Employer Guide. Please note the following important changes to apprenticeship tuition fee funding options, for August 2026-July 2027 intakes:

  •  
Additional Funding
  • Employer incentives for apprenticeships starting between August 2026-July 2027 (see here for full details):
    • £1,000 if apprentice is aged 16-18 (or turning 16 June-August 2026); or aged between 19-24 and has either an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan provided by their local authority and/or has been, or are, in the care of their local authority.
    • £2,000 for non-levy paying employers only (typically SMEs) if recruit person(s) aged 16-24 (or turning 16 June-August 2026) on to an apprenticeship programme from October 2026, as long as the employment only starts within 90 days before the intake start date.
  • £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant - Employer may be able to apply for this if recruits an unemployed person(s) aged 18-24 who has been on universal credit for over 6 months. Full details are available here.
  • Employer may not have to pay Class 1 Employer National Insurance if apprentice is under the age of 25. Full details are available here.
Start Date
Anytime (final cohort November 2026)
Teaching Delivery
Online
Key Learning Requirements

Apprenticeships require learners to achieve specific new knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs), which are detailed in the Apprenticeship Standard. These are achieved by;
1) Programme Teaching; online coaching sessions , workshops (once a month) and online resources.
2) Independent study; such as assignment/project research and write up
3) Learning in the workplace; shadowing colleagues, completing programme assigned work based projects, day-to-day development within your current role duties/work activities, reflections with mentor, relevant training sessions.

Modules
This programme has fixed module delivery (you are unable to choose the modules studied). A list of modules is available on the course webpage or course materials.
Placements
This programme does not require external placements to be completed, although varied experiences are beneficial.
Assessments
Apprentices will be assessed throughout the programme by assignments, observations, evaluations, work-based learning modules and End Point Assessment.
Key Candidate Entry Requirements

• Employed minimum 30 hours per week in a suitable role for the duration of the apprenticeship (apprenticeship duration may be extended to support staff who work less than this will be looked at on individual basis)
• English and Maths at GCSE grade C/4/Functional Skills Level 2/Equivalent or above are not required for this programme, but may still be required depending on the age of the candidate and/or employer requirements. The education provider will discuss this on a 1:1 basis early in the application process.

Full requirement details are found on the course webpage/information.

Key Employer Entry Requirements

• Ensure Learner has the support and opportunities to achieve the requirements of the apprenticeship
•Mentor for the apprentice.

Listed as an Approved Provider under an NHS Procurement
Yes
Application Timescale
  • It takes on average 1 month to complete all application stages for this programme.
  • If recruiting to this position, additional time will be required for recruitment and advertising stages.
Additional Training Hub Support
Primary Care employees have access to:
  • All resources provided by the L&SC PC Training Hub such as Digital training, Health and Wellbeing support and events.
  • Including, the Digital webpage and, the Non-clinical Training and Resources, on this webpage, which may compliment the apprenticeship (always check suitability with your apprenticeship education provider).
Pathway

Skills England's interactive occupational pathway tool shows a variety of progression pathways using apprenticeships. Career progression does not have to be linear. Entry criteria may differ per provider and even more varied routes may be available depending on the individuals prior learning and experience.

Information Last Updated
03/07/2026

Further Apprenticeship and Provider Information

If you would like to know anything further about the programme itself, please contact: Teresa Ward on [email protected]

How to Apply

If you would like to apply for an apprenticeship programme or unit, please complete our apprenticeship form. This form is for Primary Care Employers within Lancashire and South Cumbria only.

By completing the form, the Training Hub Apprenticeships Team will be able to complete basic pre-checks, provide you with personalised guidance, and start the application process for you. If you would like to discuss anything first, please email [email protected] or call Olivia, Apprenticeships Manager, on 07735161775. You can find out about the stages of applying for an apprenticeship within our Apprenticeships Process (Employer Guide). 

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