Management Apprenticeships

Strategy & Change Leader

Level 6
Improvement Leader Apprenticeship Standard
Level 6
Improvement Leader Apprenticeship Standard
  • Designed for senior professionals leading transformation and direction
  • Combine strategic insight with practical improvement tools
  • Analyse complex organisational challenges effectively
  • Align improvement activity with organisational priorities
  • Lead measurable, high impact change initiatives
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15-month duration Start any time
70%
Distinction rate for our programmes
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4.7
Rated excellent by our learners
Excellent provider Rated by gov.uk
Professional recognition Get accredited qualifications
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Ofsted-approved Exceptional benefits

Course overview

Fully levy-funded £750 for non-levy payers

This apprenticeship will provide learners with key capabilities in strategic leadership, change management, datadriven decision-making, and people development. You’ll apply your learning directly to live projects, ensuring real-world relevance and immediate organisational impact. According to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI, 2020), 83% of managers who enhanced their leadership skills said that it increased their self-confidence, whilst 73% reported increased professional recognition of their management skills outside their organisation.

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What you will achieve

Showcase your leadership expertise with these in-demand qualifications.

KnowledgeBrief icon

Strategy & Change Leader Certificate

KnowledgeBrief Management School
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Improvement Leader Certificate

Skills England
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CMI Level 6 Strategic Management & Leadership Practice Award

Chartered Management Institute
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CMI Chartered Manager Status (CMgr)

Chartered Management Institute
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Empowering learning with practical results

Growing with purpose

88% said their communication style became clearer, stronger and more intentional.

Confidence that drives action

91% said they now step forward with greater clarity and assurance in their work.

Progress that sets you apart

Most of our learners achieve a Distinction, showing real commitment and capability.

Superior learning experience
with KBPro LXP

KBPro LXP is built to help you achieve more with greater confidence and clarity, and every KnowledgeBrief learner has full access to it. It guides your journey with purpose, showing what matters, why it matters and how to move forward with intent. Every feature is designed to strengthen your focus, support your progress and help you apply learning in real situations. With clear insight, steady encouragement and a seamless experience, KBPro LXP empowers you to grow in ways that feel meaningful, achievable and genuinely impactful.

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Personalised, relevant learning

KBPro LXP tailors content to each learner’s goals and context, guiding them through clear, practical steps that build confidence and capability.

Real, evidence-based content

Every unit, activity, and resource is grounded in proven research and applied practice, giving learners insight they can use immediately in their role.

Learning that adapts with you

KBPro provides a learning journey that grows with the learner, offering timely prompts, supportive guidance, and the right content at the right moment.

Unlimited workshops

Explore workshops on emotional intelligence, leadership, project scoping, delegation and time management, among others, each offering practical learning.

Guidance that drives
real impact

Personalised coaching that supports, advises and challenges you to reach your goals. Skills Coaches connect your learning to your role and key priorities.

Leaders in Action

Free access to our Leadership in Action webinar series. Join inspiring leaders worldwide as they share thoughts on today’s most important leadership topics.

Is this programme the right fit for you?

You need:

  • To have the right to work in the UK.
  • To have lived in the UK continuously for the past 3 years.
  • To have not previously studied the course content.
  • To not undertake any other qualification during your apprenticeship.
  • To be able to apply your learning to your role.

Yes, all of our programmes are designed to fit around your current role while supporting meaningful development in the workplace:

  • Designed to fit around your current job responsibilities.
  • Combines on-the-job learning with structured off-the-job training.
  • Directly aligned to your real workplace challenges and responsibilities.
  • Includes regular progress reviews and feedback sessions.
  • Provides personalised one-to-one support throughout the programme.

Once the programme is complete, you will be assessed through the End Point Assessment (EPA) by an independent, accredited organisation.

Strategic Improvement Report, Presentation, and Questioning

  • Presentation must be 45 to 50 minutes in duration.
  • The presentation is followed by questioning on the presentation and report, lasting 35 to 40 minutes.

Professional Discussion Underpinned by a Portfolio of Evidence

  • The assessor will ask open/competency-based questions to cover the KSBs mapped against this method.
  • Apprentices may refer to the portfolio of evidence when answering questions.

  • If your organisation pays the Apprenticeship Levy, the full cost can be covered through your levy funds, making it a straightforward way to invest in coaching capability.
  • If you are a non-levy payer and want to strengthen leadership and management across your organisation, the Government will fund 95% of the programme. Your organisation simply co-invests the remaining 5%; £750 in total.
  • If you would like to explore how this programme can support your people, we would be happy to guide you through the next steps. Contact us today.

You can start your apprenticeship with us at any time that suits you and your employer:

  • We offer monthly start dates throughout the year to provide flexibility.
  • Your start date will be agreed in partnership with your employer.
  • Onboarding begins once eligibility and funding checks are complete.
  • You will receive a structured induction before formal learning begins.
  • We work with you to ensure a smooth and timely start.
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Shape the future of learning
in your organisation

Contact our team

Accredited by CMI, Chartered Management Institute

Our Strategy & Change Leader programme is accredited by CMI, the UK’s leading authority on Management and Leadership Qualifications. This recognition signals that the programme meets rigorous professional benchmarks and reflects the highest level of industry trust. For learners, it brings credibility, confidence, and a clear pathway to recognised professional standing. It also assures employers that their leaders are developing skills that are current, relevant, and aligned with the expectations of a respected chartered body.

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Reliability you can count on

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For clients and learners, our Good Ofsted rating is a clear measure of performance. It shows that our delivery is dependable and that our learning experience consistently drives real improvement. Learners progress with confidence through structured support. Coaches bring clarity and challenge. Our systems and quality assurance give organisations a partner they can trust.

If you want to work with a provider that delivers consistent quality and real progress, we are ready to support your goals. Let’s explore how we can help your people grow with confidence.

Learn more

Trusted by over 700 organisations
and more than 2,000 learners

“The apprenticeship has profoundly impacted my personal and professional development, boosting my confidence through real-world challenges and mentorship. It provided practical experience, improved my skills, advanced my career, and doors to new opportunities.”

Atis Klavins

Factory Supervisor

ADM Milling

“KnowledgeBrief offered excellent support with accessible coaches and regular check-ins. The apprenticeship helped me grow in my role, understand the wider business, and improve problem-solving and leadership skills. Completing it has given me confidence and a strong foundation for future career growth.”

Edward Roots

Remarketing Sales Executive

Avis Budget Group

“Completing my apprenticeship with KnowledgeBrief transformed my skills, confidence, and opened doors to new career opportunities. The tailored support was excellent, and I highly recommend this programme for anyone looking to develop their career with recognised qualifications.”

Samuel Nichols

Recruitment Consultant

Manpower Group

“We’ve just gone through annual reviews and, if I look at ratings from last year to this year, we have more excellent performers in our leadership team.”

Deborah Richardson

Training Manager

Boohoo

“KnowledgeBrief are best in class for their Leadership and Management training, highly professional and extremely knowledgeable coaches.”

Shelly Larsen-McHugh

Early in Careers Programme Manager

ManpowerGroup

“My Apprenticeship through Wiltshire Council with KnowledgeBrief has enabled me to have a wider understanding of management principles. The guidance given was invaluable in enabling me to obtain my chartered management qualification with Distinction.”

Diane Ware CMgr MCMI, I.Eng FIHE

Principal Technical Officer (highways)

Wiltshire Council

“Throughout the course, I was guided and supported by skilled Skills Coaches and attended informative workshops. By gaining my CMI qualification in Leadership and Management, I have been able to advance my career to the next level.”

Linda Drew

Assistant Team Manager

Wiltshire Council

“It doesn’t matter what stage you are at in your Leadership or Management career, a Level 3 or 5 course will make you a better leader.”

Andy Blackstock

Head of Operations

Flogas

“The Skills Coaches (who are our learners’ main point of contact) are delightful, always happy to help, engaging and provide the right level of support and advice to ensure their success.”

Wali Rahman

Organisational Development Officer

Wiltshire Council

“The course has been fantastic and with the knowledge and frameworks you learn and can directly apply in your day job, you will become better at what you do.”

Emily Moor

Philanthropy Manager

CLIC Sargent
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Empower your leaders with clarity, confidence and the skills to deliver results

Download our guide to explore the programme’s learning journey, the support included, and the impact it can create for your organisation.

Contact our team
Download our guide
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The cutting edge of leadership and management innovation, in brief.
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Serious learning. Serious perks.

TOTUM savings are available to every KnowledgeBrief apprentice.

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