What to Look for in an Improvement Apprenticeship Provider

How to choose a partner that builds real capability, delivers ROI, and supports learners and managers end-to-end.

Choosing the right Improvement Apprenticeship provider is a strategic decision. The best partners don’t just “run courses”—they build internal capability, deliver measurable benefits, and support learners and line managers from onboarding to EPA. Here’s a practical guide to what great looks like, plus how 100% Effective maps to each criterion.

1) Deep Expertise in Lean Six Sigma & Business Improvement

What to look for

• A specialist improvement company (not a generalist training vendor).
• Master Black Belt (MBB) faculty with proven delivery across industries.
• A track record measured in years and results, not just certificates.

Why it matters
Real change requires coaches who’ve delivered tough projects, not just taught tools. Experience shortens time-to-value.

100% Effective

• Business improvement specialists since 1999 with 25+ years training, coaching and certifying learners worldwide.
• World-class MBB trainers with broad, hands-on delivery experience.

2) Certifications That Add Real Career Value

What to look for

• Apprenticeship plus industry-recognised qualifications (e.g., Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt).
• Additional certifications aligned to role needs, such as Change Management and Health & Safety.
• End-to-end learning pathways that blend live, virtual classroom training with full eLearning access.

Why it matters
Stackable credentials raise learner confidence, internal credibility and external employability.

100% Effective

• Apprenticeships plus LSS Green Belt as standard, with pathways to Black Belt.
• Important: Learners attend a live, virtual classroom Green/Black Belt and receive the full eLearning Green/Black Belt in addition—ideal for pre-work, reinforcement, and refreshers.
• Extra eLearning certifications: Change Management, Health & Safety, and more.

3) Monthly 1:1 Coaching with an MBB

What to look for

• Guaranteed one-to-one coaching each month with a named MBB.
• Structured prep and action tracking (so sessions translate into progress).
• Access to additional support when projects hit complexity.

Why it matters
Coaching turns theory into judgment—accelerating delivery, confidence and EPA readiness.

100% Effective

• Monthly 1:1 coaching with MBBs, plus rapid support between sessions.
• Coaching prep sheets, actions, and follow-up baked into the cadence.

4) Flexible, Hybrid Delivery That Fits Operations

What to look for

• Blended learning (virtual, face-to-face, eLearning) with in-house or open cohorts.
• Flexible start dates: mixed cohorts start monthly; company-only cohorts available to fit peak periods.
• Re-join rights for key modules (e.g., Green Belt refreshers).

Why it matters
Flexibility protects service levels and increases completion and satisfaction.

100% Effective

• Hybrid delivery tailored to your operation; start any month in a mixed cohort or choose a dedicated company cohort.
• Re-attendance options for Virtual Green Belt days to top-up learning.
• And remember: Full eLearning Green/Black Belt access is provided in addition to live, virtual classroom attendance.

5) Career & Personal Development Coaching

What to look for

• Explicit career conversations (next role, skill gaps, evidence planning).
• Support with presentations, influence, confidence, and leadership skills.

Why it matters
Apprentices who grow as leaders spread improvement behaviours further and stick around.

100% Effective

• Careers and personal development coaching included—confidential and practical.

6) Strong Employer Engagement, Reporting & OTJ Tracking

What to look for

• Clear line-manager guidance (sponsor training, gate review support).
• Bi-monthly tripartite reviews (manager–coach–apprentice).
• Off-the-job (OTJ) tracking tools with monthly reporting so managers can monitor learner progress by category and totals.

Why it matters
When managers are supported—and can see progress monthly—learners get time, data and access; projects land faster.

100% Effective

• Manager training and guidance; structured bi-monthly reviews.
• Monthly OTJ tracking sheet & dashboard reporting for clear, audit-ready progress visibility.

7) Fast, Proven ROI Through Real Projects

What to look for

• Front-loaded training for early wins; project selection support pre-enrolment.
• Benefits governance (gate reviews, benefits logs, finance validation).
• Evidence of historic ROI and ongoing quick wins.

Why it matters
Apprenticeships should pay for themselves—often many times over.

100% Effective

• Rapid ROI via coached project delivery; smaller projects add continuous returns.
• Historic outcomes include substantial, validated savings across cohorts.

8) Assessment Readiness & EPA Support

What to look for

• Regular KSB mapping, portfolio building, mock tests, and presentation coaching.
• Clear Gateway checklist and rehearsal.

Why it matters
Confidence at EPA comes from steady, visible progress—not last-minute scramble.

100% Effective

• Mock exams, discussions, presentation prep and individualised learning support.
• Ongoing progress reviews to assure Gateway/EPA readiness.

9) End-to-End LSS Resources & Community

What to look for

• A rich eLearning library, templates, simulations, and forums (including complete Green/Black Belt eLearning).
• Alumni access and peer networking.

Why it matters
Reusable assets and a community accelerate replication and sustainment.

100% Effective

• Exclusive UK provider of end-to-end online LSS up to Black Belt, plus alumni access and resources.
• Both live, virtual classroom training and full eLearning Green/Black Belt access ensure learning sticks and scales.

10) A Provider That Measures Success by Impact

What to look for

• A mindset that prioritises outcomes over attendance.
• Clear commitment to benefits tracking and sustain/control.

Why it matters
Certificates matter; business results matter more.

100% Effective

• “Committed to ROI” is our operating principle—training that turns into transformation.

Quick Checklist for Selecting a Provider

• Specialist Lean Six Sigma / business improvement company with 10+ years success
• MBB-led monthly 1:1 coaching, with structured prep/actions
• Certifications included: LSS Belt + full eLearning Green/Black Belt and live, virtual classroom attendance, Change Management, H&S
• Flexible starts (monthly mixed cohorts) or company cohorts
• Hybrid delivery (virtual/in-house/open) with re-join options
• Project selection before enrolment; formal gate reviews
• Manager enablement + bi-monthly tripartite reviews
• Monthly OTJ tracking sheet with dashboard reporting
• Mock EPA, portfolio guidance, and KSB mapping
• Proven ROI track record and benefits governance
• Alumni network, resources, and ongoing support

Why Choose 100% Effective

• Proven since 1999: tens of thousands trained; apprentices achieving distinction-level results.
• World-class MBBs who teach from real delivery, not slides alone.
• More than an apprenticeship: Belt certifications, live virtual classroom Green/Black Belt plus full eLearning Green/Black Belt, Change Management, H&S.
• Flexible delivery and start dates: monthly mixed cohorts or dedicated company cohorts.
• Holistic support for apprentices and managers, including monthly OTJ reporting.
• ROI-driven: projects coached to deliver measurable, lasting benefits.

Partner with 100% Effective and turn training into transformation.
Want a side-by-side comparison of providers against this checklist? Share your shortlist and I’ll map gaps and strengths in a one-page scorecard.