APPRENTICESHIPS
We offer 3 Lean driven Apprentiships, Lean Manufacturing Operative, Improvement Technician, Improvement Practicioner.
On an apprenticeship, you're employed to do a real job while studying for a formal qualification - usually for one day a week either at a college or training centre. By the end of your apprenticeship, you'll hopefully have gained the skills and knowledge needed to either succeed in your chosen career or progress onto the next apprenticeship level.
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The Apprenticeship Levy
The apprenticeship levy was designed to support organisations in optimising their apprenticeship offering. The levy can be of great benefit to both organisations and individuals alike. Boosting internal training and attracting new prospects.
The apprenticeship levee is a form of tax paid by employers who have a payroll of more than £3 million, the levy funds apprenticeship training and is charged at 0.5% of an employers payroll monthly by PAYE.
Mettle Training is an independent apprenticeship training provider, putting the personal and professional enrichment of the individual first, offering sector specific training. Whether you are a levy payer or an SME, Mettle Training can support you.
Who can use the apprenticeship levy?
Organisations within England can use the levy, providing apprentices funded by the levy work a minimum of 50% of the time in England. The amount of levy you are eligible for is governed by the amount an organisation employs that are living in England.
Any organisation can engage the levy even if they do not pay the levy through a levy transfer from a paying employer. The levy paying organisation can transfer up to 25% of their levy fund to use for another business such as a partner or supplier.
We can support you in identifying how you can make the most of the apprenticeship levy.
View our Apprenticeships
Lean Manufacturing Operative
Carrying out manufacturing activities on multiple products with different specifications consecutively.
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Details of standard
Apprenticeship level
This Apprenticeship Standard is at Level 2
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Occupational Role Profile
The Manufacturing Industry offers an exciting and varied career both in the UK & abroad providing a broad spectrum of opportunities for people to work in a technically advanced and innovative environment.
Businesses within the sector range from small family run manufacturing operations to large multi-national companies driving the countries growth & wealth.
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The UK’s Manufacturing Industry is highly regarded worldwide for its innovation and manufacturing excellence and requires a high degree of skill & knowledge across all levels of their organisations.
A Lean Manufacturing Operative will be expected to carry out their work safely and meet the exacting quality standards demanded in a fast-paced and efficient processing environment and develop into a multi-skilled operator through process ownership. A lean manufacturing operative can be required to carry out manufacturing activities on multiple products with different specifications consecutively e.g. automotive manufacturing – Multi models manufacturing results in the manufacturing of different models of the vehicle with different specification variants within a high volume environment.
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They will be required to prepare, control, contribute to and complete manufacturing operations, and follow manufacturing processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs) whilst adhering to specific safe working policies & procedures. A Lean Manufacturing Operative will be responsible for maintaining Health and Safety requirements at all times e.g. wearing correct Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.) correct use of equipment and tooling, safe stopping and resetting of machinery, maintain an organised work area e.g. 5s (Sifting, Sorting, Sweeping, Spick & Span and Sustain) ensuring the safe disposal of waste in line with environmental systems and regulatory requirements (ISO 14001). They will be required to contribute, develop and support improvement in the manufacturing operation using continuous improvement methods, kaizen tools, process visualisation using lean principles and problem-solving tools and techniques. They will be responsible for carrying out quality checks throughout the manufacturing operations to ensure quality is built-in and that any defects or concerns are highlighted and dealt with in line with relevant quality standards (ISO 9002).
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They will work closely with stakeholders and will have clear reporting lines to ensure appropriate escalation e.g. team leader, line leader, process leader, supervisor etc. should problems occur within the process.
Examples of the job titles from across the manufacturing sector that would be covered within this standard are: Team Member Production; Manufacturing Production Operative; Manufacturing Assembly Operative; Manufacturing Inspection/Quality Assurance Operative; Manufacturing Logistics Operative; Manufacturing Material Handling Operative; Manufacturing Process/Finishing Operative.
Improvement Technician
Responsible for delivery and coaching of improvement activity within an area of responsibility.
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Details of standard
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Apprenticeship level
This Apprenticeship Standard is at Level 3
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 etc.
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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:
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Engaging team members in the identification of improvement opportunities and relevant countermeasures and controls
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Initiating and facilitating improvement activities through to confirmed resolution
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Providing local expertise in business improvement methods and basic tools to team
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There are a variety of job titles associated with the occupation, these include, but are not limited to: Business Improvement Co-ordinator, Continuous Improvement Executive, Process Technician, Operational Excellence/Lean Engineer, Lean Six Sigma Yellow belt and Quality Control Analyst.
Improvement Practitioner
Identify and lead the delivery of change across organisational functions and processes.
Occupation profile:
Improvement Practitioners use a blend of Lean and Six Sigma, project and change management principles and tools to identify and lead the delivery of change across organisational functions and processes. Improvement Practitioners can be found across all sectors and functions including automotive, banking, engineering, food products, IT, property, retail, telecoms etc.
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Typically, Practitioners lead smaller projects and/or play a key supporting role in a larger programme – tackling issues that may require swift problem solving, or re-occurring challenges that require in-depth analysis and the implementation of a range of effective and sustainable countermeasures. They are the focal point for all stakeholders and responsible for communication throughout a project. Typical activities include:
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Identifying potential opportunities, diagnosing issues, proposing solutions and implementing changes and controls
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Coaching teams and sharing best practice
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When leading projects they may manage small teams ensuring motivation and momentum, and be responsible for the successful
There are a variety of job titles associated with the occupation, these include, but are not limited to: Business Improvement Practitioner, Continuous Improvement Manager, Process Excellence Manager, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Quality Control Senior Analyst.