Occupation profile:
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 Local and County Councils, NHS, Voluntary / Charity, Utilities, Pharmaceuticals, Insurance, Hospitality 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
There are a variety of job titles associated with the occupation, for example
- Business Improvement Co-ordinator,
- Continuous Improvement Executive,
- Process Technician,
- Operational Excellence/Lean Engineer,
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow belt and Quality Control Analyst,
- Environmental Health and Safety Inspector
For more information – Improvement technician / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
FAQs
What happens if employers take on an apprentice who needs help with English and maths?
If you employ an apprentice who needs extra help with English and maths, additional payments are made to your training provider. This does not come out of your Apprenticeship Levy funds.
How much does an Apprenticeship cost?
You can get help from the Government to pay for Apprenticeship Training.
The amount you pay depends on whether you are a big enough employer to pay the Apprenticeship Levy (you pay more than £3 million in salaries every year) or not.
All employers must now set up a Digital Apprenticeship Service account with the Education and Skills Funding Agency to manage their Apprenticeship funding.
Funding an apprenticeship (apprenticeships.gov.uk)
What is End Point Assessment?
An EPA takes place at the end of an apprenticeship and tests the knowledge and skills you’ll have learnt as an apprentice.
What does an EPA involve?
An EPA can vary depending on the apprenticeship but could include:
• a practical test of the skills learnt during an apprenticeship
• a presentation
• an interview
• written or multiple-choice tests
• workplace observation
Understanding end-point assessments (EPA) (apprenticeships.gov.uk)https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/understanding-end-point-assessments
Is an apprenticeship right for you ?
Apprenticeships combine real work with training and study for a specific role.
You’ll learn new skills, gain experience and earn a salary too. Being an apprentice can be an exciting and rewarding career path.
Before applying you should also consider that as an apprentice you’ll have to:
• balance a job with studying and your home life
• work under supervision and guidance
• complete regular assessments, including an end-point assessment
• usually train for one specific role
Is an apprenticeship right for you? (apprenticeships.gov.uk)
Is there an age limit for Apprenticeship training?
Apprenticeships can be offered to new recruits or existing employees of all ages and at any level. Older staff, even those with degrees, can do an apprenticeship training programme if they are taking on new roles or require new knowledge and skills