Improvement Apprenticeship Learner Case Studies
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we wanted to share a couple of Improvement Apprenticeship learner case studies.
So we caught up with Amanda Beable, Head of Transformation at Hampshire County Council – Universal Services Directorate, who recently completed the Level 6 Improvement Leader apprenticeship with Capella.
Improving outcomes ENERGISES people
“I first became interested in the world of Improvement in customer service management at a previous company. I’ve seen how energising it can be when everyone is driven to improve outcomes in an aligned and motivating culture, I wanted to gain knowledge and develop the leadership skills that would allow me to develop such a culture within my team at HCC, gaining a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt qualification as part of this apprenticeship has certainly helped this”.
Apprenticeships are well established and organised
“I’m a very curious person and with that comes a natural interest in learning. I also want to make a difference in my work, and so taking a course in which I’d learn about how to improve things for customers and team members seemed a very good fit. An apprenticeship was an obvious route to take due to both the apprenticeship levy and how well established and organised the apprenticeship process is within HCC”.
Driving an improvement culture
“I wanted to gain both a greater understanding behind the theory of improvement leadership as well as knowledge of key tools that I can practically implement to improve the work of my team. I also wanted to understand how to nurture the behaviours in both myself and my team that would drive an improvement culture across everything we do”.
Transferable skills are the building blocks for a successful career
“I think HCC is very good at developing skills for life, with many in-house training opportunities available as well as the ability to undertake an apprenticeship. These are skills that are transferable across roles and sectors and are the building blocks for a successful career.”
Practical and strategic skills for the longer term
“The learning has been helpful both in a practical way (new tools and concepts that can be used within our work) as well as in a strategic way. I am currently bringing together previously quite separate teams within the Transformation service that I lead, as part of a wider restructure. Change management, situational leadership and the Shingo guiding principles models have in particular been exceedingly useful to reflect on to better understand how to lead through this uncertain time, in order to build a successful and motivated team for the longer term”.
And finally, what would you say to other leaders?
“If you’re interested in making work better for your team and improving yourself as a leader, then definitely consider this apprenticeship. It takes a lot of work, which is made easier if you can directly relate your learning to the work you do”.
For further information about the Level 6 Improvement Leader click here (opens a new page)
