Improvement Practitioner Apprenticeship

Programme title: Improvement Practitioner Apprenticeship
Level: 4

Salary: £21,641

Post apprenticeship: £36,000+
Location: Devonport, Plymouth

Application closing date: 12th March 2026

Programme start date: September 2026

Role ID: 67812

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.

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 put sustainable changes into action 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 have the chance to 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’s 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.

Your education/training

As part of your apprenticeship, you’ll 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.

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.

Upon programme completion, you can expect to earn a competitive salary exceeding £36,000.

You may also have the opportunity to pursue further qualifications, including Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification or higher-level apprenticeships, to continue your professional development and progression.

From there, your development doesn’t stop. 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.

What you’ll need 

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including Mathematics and English or equivalent. Plus, one of the following:
  • Three A-level subjects at Grade C or above
  • EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: pass
  • Access: Achievement of the HE Diploma, to include 30 Level 3 Credits at Merit.
  • Baccalaureate IB: pass
  • T-Levels: If you have or are looking to partially complete your T-Level, you are still required to have the equivalent to 3 full A-Levels as part of our minimum entry requirements. As a result, if you are applying with only the core or occupational specialism, this may be insufficient as a stand-alone qualification.
• Due to ID requirements for entry to the Devonport Dockyard, you will need to provide either a valid passport or a provisional/full UK driving licence. If you do not currently hold one of these forms of ID, we strongly recommend applying in advance to ensure smooth access on your first day.
• Many of our apprenticeship programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What you’ll get

We’ll provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career.

In addition, you’ll benefit from:

• 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

You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.

Your career development

It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career.

Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.

Application process and closing dates  

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the programme may close early if we receive a high volume of interest. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we strongly recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.