This information has been taken directly from: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/improvement-leader/  (as of June 2020).


What is it?

Undertaking L6 is training to be an Improvement Leader. The role of an improvement leader is:

Developing improvement strategies and providing leadership in improvement for a busines


Occupation profile:

Improvement Leaders 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, who deploy the strategy, and lead improvement projects.  

They work closely with all functions of the business to support the setting and achievement of business goals, often accountable for Improvement activities within the largest-scale and highest priority programmes of work. For example, they may develop top-level Value Stream Maps to identify improvement opportunities that are then scoped into projects to be delivered by Improvement Specialists or they may design new products/processes/services. The role is typically office-based but involves working wherever their improvement activities are focussed for example they could be working on the shop floor or at customer/supplier premises.


Typical roles and responsibilities:

  • Developing Improvement strategy and providing leadership in improvement for the business
  • Developing processes and resources to support improvement strategy deployment such as guidance for structured project reviews
  • Training, coaching and mentoring Improvement Specialists and senior stakeholders
  • Designing and sourcing training solutions for the business
  • Leading large-scale, complex Improvement activities
  • Managing a team of Improvement Specialists
  • Improvement Leaders have high-level expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, Project and Change management and are recognised as the specialists in leading improvement strategy.


Roles are commonly found in all industry sectors and functions including Automotive, Pharmaceutical, Telecommunication, Retail, Finance, Food, Drink, Travel and Leisure. Job titles associated with the Improvement Leader occupation include, but are not limited to: Lean Master, Senior Lean Leader, Senior Navigator, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Senior Consultant.


The Background Information

Status: Approved for delivery

Level: 6

Reference: ST0556

Approved for delivery: 29 January 2019

Route: Business and administration

Typical duration to gateway : 18 months (this does not include EPA period)

Maximum funding: £15000

Trailblazer contact(s): felicity.fashade@baesystems.com


Employers involved in creating the standard: 

BT Group Plc, Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd, Capella Associates, Chartered Quality Institute, International Automotive Components Group Ltd, Jaguar Land Rover Ltd, SAIC Motor UK Technical Centre Ltd, Capella Associates Ltd, Wincanton Plc, GLAS Business Solutions Ltd, develop-u, National Skills Academy for Food & Drink, Britvic Soft Drinks Ltd, 2 Sisters Food Group, Ricoh Europe Plc, TUI Group Plc, Gleeds Management Services Ltd, Royal Mail Group Ltd, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, nuvia Limited, Bee Lighting Ltd, Clevedon Fasteners Ltd, Stadco Ltd, Kraft Heinz Company, British Standards Institution, Morson International Ltd, Testlink Services Ltd, Rolls-Royce Controls and Data Services Ltd, Leonardo – Helicopter division


EQA Provider: Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education