Improvement Specialist Apprenticeship

Organisations face ongoing pressure to continuously improve performance, reduce inefficiencies and respond to increasingly complex operational and strategic challenges. Delivering sustainable impact at scale requires professionals who can apply advanced improvement methods while influencing people, processes and organisational systems across the organisation.

The Improvement Specialist Apprenticeship (Level 5), aligned to the national standard (ST0555), is designed for organisations looking to strengthen internal capability by developing teams of professionals who play key roles in driving improvement across functions, services and systems. This is a leadership-focused programme with broad, cross-sector relevance.

The programme combines academic learning with work-based application, delivered through collaborative cohorts that enable cross-functional learning, standardisation of improvement approaches and strong organisational return on investment. Apprentices develop advanced capability in process improvement, project delivery and change management, learning to analyse complex systems, diagnose root causes and lead initiatives aligned to business priorities. At Henley, this is grounded in leadership, organisational context and real workplace challenges.

A strong emphasis is placed on autonomy, stakeholder influence and capability-building at scale. Apprentices develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours to lead multiple initiatives while training, coaching and supporting others, embedding a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation.

This programme is currently in development at Henley Business School and is due to launch soon.

This apprenticeship is designed for organisations looking to strengthen internal capability by developing experienced professionals who play a key role in driving improvement across teams, functions or services.

• lead or support improvement, transformation or change initiatives
• manage complex projects or cross-functional programmes
• analyse processes, diagnose problems and identify opportunities for improvement
• support or coach others in improving performance
• contribute to organisational strategy through continuous improvement activity

This apprenticeship delivers value at both an individual and organisational level, combining development with immediate workplace impact.

Build internal improvement capability while delivering measurable value through live workplace activity.

Organisations benefit from employees and teams who can:

• lead the delivery of priority improvement initiatives aligned to strategic objectives
• improve processes, performance, quality and efficiency using evidence-based methods
• apply Lean, Six Sigma, project and change management approaches in practice
• influence stakeholders and support cross-functional change
• coach others and embed continuous improvement across teams
• reduce reliance on external support by strengthening internal expertise

Develop the confidence, technical capability and professional judgement to lead improvement in complex organisational settings.

Apprentices will:

• lead complex improvement initiatives with greater confidence and autonomy
• analyse systems and processes, diagnose root causes and identify improvement opportunities
• apply structured improvement methods to real workplace challenges
• strengthen their ability to influence stakeholders and lead change
• train, coach and support others to improve performance

Learning is applied directly through live workplace activity, helping apprentices build capability, confidence and sustained personal growth.

This programme is in development and subject to approvals. Register your interest and keep up to date with the development of this Henley programme.

Since 1945, Henley Business School has supported leaders and organisations through periods of significant change. That heritage underpins our approach to helping organisations navigate complexity, transformation, and continuous improvement.

Grounded in leadership and organisational context

Henley’s approach recognises that successful improvement depends on people as much as process.

Drawing on strengths in leadership and organisational behaviour, the programme develops professionals who can lead change, influence others and embed improvement within the wider organisational context.

Developing capability beyond tools and methodologies

Technical improvement expertise is combined with development of the whole professional. Apprentices build critical thinking, professional judgement, and leadership capability alongside core methodologies, enabling them to deliver sustainable change in complex organisational environments.

Applied learning with real organisational impact

An established apprenticeship provider, Henley is trusted across sectors to deliver structured, high-quality learning that translates into organisational value. Learning is aligned to workplace priorities, allowing apprentices to apply improvement approaches in real time.

Proven delivery with inclusive support

Embedded academic and pastoral support helps apprentices succeed throughout the programme. A commitment to inclusive, neurodiversity‑aware delivery ensures all learners can perform at their best while contributing to long-term organisational development.