Program Overview

Level 4 Quality Practitioner

The Level 4 Quality Practitioner apprenticeship is designed to develop skills in implementing quality practice and governance. Quality practitioners support and develop people within and outside the quality function, deploying effective quality practices to ensure organisations fulfil contractual and regulatory requirements.

Course Duration

The course duration is 14 months, excluding the End Point Assessment (EPA).

Start Date

The course starts in October and January.

Level

The course is a Level 4 apprenticeship.

Campus

The course is based at the Holbeach campus.

Award

Upon completion, apprentices receive a Quality Practitioner Apprenticeship Certificate.

Overview

The course aims to develop skills in holding internal meetings, gathering and analysing quality performance data, carrying out audits or inspections, dealing with stakeholder visits, and interacting with various business functions.

How You Learn

The course is designed around key principles, including engaging with the world, collaborating with others, challenging thinking, and providing a supportive environment. Industry experts and active researchers teach the course in a supportive and inclusive environment. Apprentices learn through online lectures, tutorials, work-based projects, problem-solving exercises, online class discussions, and independent study.

Modules

The programme adopts an online learning approach with modules delivered through tutor-led sessions.

Year One

• Principles of quality management
• Quality strategy and quality culture
• Tools to identify key stakeholder's quality requirements and quality specific requirements
• Quality assurance (auditing, problem solving, and root cause analysis)
• Impact/verify/validate
• Quality performance and supplier performance
• Business improvement tools to support organisational objectives
• Concept process design
• Products/services life cycle stages
• Risk management
• Quality impact

Year Two

• GAP analysis of portfolio of evidence
• EPA preparation
• End Point Assessment

How You Are Assessed

Assessments vary in format, allowing apprentices to choose an area of focus related to their workplace and role. Progression through the programme follows successful achievement of assessments, which address learning outcomes for each module and work towards End Point Assessment.

Applied Learning

The course is structured around applied learning, linking studies to real-world situations within the workplace. Apprentices develop high-quality and sustainable processes, apply new skills at work, learn from colleagues, and complete tasks independently.

Entry Requirements

Applications can be from existing employees or new applicants with employer approval. Applicants must:

• Be over 16
• Not be in full-time education
• Have the right to abode in the UK
• Be able to achieve the standard by the end of the programme
• Be in a relevant role linked to the apprenticeship standard
• If under 19, hold GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English at level 2 or above (grade 4, or previously C)

School Grades

For school leavers, employers may have requirements linked to the job role, including a good working level of Maths and English. Applicants with relevant work experience in food and drink manufacturing are considered on an individual basis.