Improvement Practitioner Apprenticeship

Babcock International; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the UK is offering a 2-year Improvement Practitioner Apprenticeship aimed at developing essential skills in Lean, Six Sigma, and project management. The apprenticeship involves hands-on experience working across various business areas, helping to identify inefficiencies and implement improvements. Successful candidates will earn a competitive salary exceeding £36,000 and will receive full support through mentorship and training. This role sets the stage for career progression into Continuous Improvement Analyst or Operational Excellence Coordinator roles.

Benefits

Fully funded qualification

Personal development training

28 days holiday allowance

Competitive pension scheme

Flexible benefits

Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs including Mathematics and English.
• Clearance for BPSS and Security Check (SC) required.
• Able to provide a valid passport or UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Identify and implement improvements across business processes.
• Collaborate with teams to enhance operational efficiency.
• Participate in workshops to share ideas and develop solutions.

Skills

Lean principles

Project management

Root-cause analysis

Data analysis

Collaborative teamwork

Education

5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above

Three A-levels at Grade C or above

BTEC Diploma

Access HE Diploma

Job description

Program Overview

Our 2-year Improvement Practitioner Apprenticeship is a great opportunity to develop the skills that make a real impact. You’ll help identify better ways of working, support business transformation, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement across one of the UK’s most advanced engineering sites.

Program Details

About the programme: Continuous improvement sits at the heart of how we work. As an Improvement Practitioner Apprentice, you’ll collaborate with experienced professionals to identify inefficiencies, streamline processes and implement sustainable changes that enhance performance and value.

This exciting role involves applying Lean, Six Sigma, and project management principles to analyse problems, map processes, and deliver measurable results. You’ll gather and interpret data, use root‑cause analysis techniques, and take part in workshops that bring colleagues together to share ideas and develop new solutions.

Experience comes from variety; you’ll work across different business areas—from production and planning to logistics and project support—building a clear picture of how each team contributes to our shared success. It is a mix of analysis, collaboration and creativity that makes a real impact on how we operate.

Throughout the programme, support will come from mentors, line managers and our Early Careers team, helping you grow in confidence, develop technical capability and strengthen your professional judgement. By the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll have a solid understanding of how data‑driven decision‑making supports operational excellence and continuous improvement across the business.

Education & Training

• Study for the Level 4 Improvement Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard through PMI (Process Management International).
• Training is delivered through a blend of virtual learning and onsite sessions at Devonport, giving you the chance to apply theory directly to live business challenges.
• Upon programme completion, earn a competitive salary exceeding £36,000.

Future prospects

By the end of your apprenticeship, you’ll be ready to take on roles such as Continuous Improvement Analyst, Operational Excellence Coordinator or Business Improvement Specialist.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including Mathematics and English.
• One of the following:
  • Three A‑level subjects at Grade C or above.
  • EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: pass.
  • Access: Achievement of the HE Diploma, including 30 Level 3 Credits at Merit.
  • Baccalaureate IB: pass.
  • T‑Levels: If you are partially completing your T‑Level, you still need the equivalent to 3 full A‑Levels; core or occupational specialism alone may be insufficient.
• Due to ID requirements for entry to the Devonport Dockyard, you must provide a valid passport or provisional/full UK driving licence.
• Must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance.

Benefits

• Fully funded qualification.
• Personal development training and opportunities.
• Minimum 28 days holiday allowance, including bank holidays.
• Competitive pension scheme.
• Employee share scheme.
• Flexible benefits, including cycle‑to‑work scheme and employee shopping savings portal.

Career Development

You may also have the opportunity to pursue further qualifications, including Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification or higher‑level apprenticeships. Through the Babcock Role Framework, you’ll have a clear view of how your career can progress, with mapped‑out pathways, development opportunities and the tools you need to get wherever you want to go.

You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding. Upon joining, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme, featuring digital and face‑to‑face sessions led by wellbeing and performance experts and external partners to equip you with the knowledge and tools to thrive on the programme and beyond.