National Apprenticeship Week: Shining the spotlight on quality apprenticeships
For National Apprenticeship Week 2023, Kate Smith, Managing Director at Capella Associates, discusses one of the quality apprenticeships available, how it was developed, and what it’s like to take part.
This week is National Apprenticeship Week, so it’s the perfect opportunity to share an update on Capella’s Quality Practitioner apprenticeship. The CQI were part of the development group that first created this standard, which aligns with our competency framework and includes content on governance, assurance and improvement. The development group also won the award for “Outstanding Contribution to Quality Management Systems” in 2020.
Who is the Quality Practitioner apprenticeship for?
Suitable for employers from all sectors, the Quality Practitioner apprenticeship is designed for people at the beginning of their career, as well as those who find themselves in quality roles without any formal training.
Capella Associates are on the Register of Approved Training Providers to deliver the Quality Practitioner apprenticeship. We’ve seen a wide range of sectors utilising this apprenticeship as a development opportunity, including construction, financial and customer services, manufacturing and defence.
What does this apprenticeship entail?
The apprenticeship combines taught content, tutorials, and 1:1 coaching to support application of learning into the workplace. There are modules on quality planning, assurance, control and continuous improvement. Learners build competence and confidence to improve quality performance and solve problems through use of best-in-class tools.
The first apprentices to enrol as quality practitioners are now coming to the end of their programme and the impact reported by learners and employers has been positive. Two of these learners have won Apprentice of the Month at Capella, so good results are expected from the final assessments which are taking place this week.
Neila Rudzite was one of the apprentices who won the award because she produced work of an extremely high standard. Her trainer said “she also challenged, where appropriate, in a constructive and positive way. She has shown personal resilience through role changes, and challenges with her project selection, but has continued to show determination to complete a high quality and impactful project for her organisation, which is testimony to her own drive and personal integrity.”
The Quality Practitioner apprenticeship is designed for people at the beginning of their career, as well as those who find themselves in quality roles without any formal training.
Aurora Horeanu also won Apprentice of the Month. She first joined Brose over six years ago as a Production Operator. After two years she moved into the quality function, eventually applying for the role of Quality Engineer in April 2021. Although she enjoyed working as a Quality Auditor, she said “I wished I could have the opportunity to correct the non-conformities by myself and not only to give advice. So, I decided to apply for a role which would give me the chance to take immediate actions and make improvements. Not only that, but it would also help to achieve my goals, gain the necessary qualification in Quality, and become a successful Quality Engineer”. Her trainer said, “Aurora has been enthusiastic and diligent from the start. She certainly puts into practice the knowledge, skills and behaviours that contribute to her becoming a strong Quality Professional.”