NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques

Level 2 and 3 NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques qualifications

The objective of the NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques (BIT) qualification is to improve business performance as a whole. To achieve this qualification the learner must be able to demonstrate that they have contributed to (level 2) or led (level 3) sustainable improvement activities that have delivered Quality, Cost and Delivery benefits.

As well as the direct business benefit generated by Quality, Cost and Delivery improvement, deploying a BIT programme demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to employee training, drives a reduction in health and safety issues and validates the quality of the workforce capability to current and potential customers

As the BIT qualification is nationally recognised, it is transferable if the learner progresses within an organisation or to a new organisation and provides qualified evidence of their capability. It is therefore a valuable qualification for the individual as well as for the organisation.

The NVQ Diploma in BIT can be undertaken at one of three levels:

Level 2

This qualification is aimed at:

• New and existing employees who have undertaken some business improvement training and are now acquiring experience within a team
• Other people involved in the business at all levels who require a fundamental understanding of business improvement practices

Level 3

This qualification is aimed at:

• Staff employed as supervisors, team leaders, change agents or facilitators and who are responsible for carrying out business improvement activities
• People who through continuous professional development are being prepared to take on staff responsibilities in a business improvement environment

Level 4

This qualification is aimed at:

• Managers who have overall responsibilities for business improvements with specific responsibilities for achieving business objectives
• People who through continuous development are being prepared to take on management responsibilities in a business improvement environment

Many of our customers have achieved significant success by deploying a programme which assigns improvement projects to Team leaders/Supervisors to lead (level 3) whilst being supported by their team members who contribute (level 2) to delivering the improvement projects.

Initially, Industry Forum provides support and guidance during the critical preparation phase to ensure the language and style of the training materials are complimentary to the organisation’s approach to continuous improvement, successful project selection and effective communication throughout the organisation to ensure that the roles and responsibilities of the learner, support functions, management team and Industry Forum are understood.

Following a three to five day training phase, an Industry Forum qualified assessor will develop an individual assessment plan in conjunction with the learner and their line manager. Regular review and assessment dates will be agreed together with a clear action plan of the evidence that the improvement team and the individual must generate as they deliver a minimum of three improvement projects. Typically this takes between six to nine months with approximately four hours per week of the learner’s time allocated to improvement activities and up to seven hours in total off the job for assessment and review activities.

Industry Forum have developed a standardised evidence system to assist the learner to capture their activities in a clear, simple and down-to-earth manner, that demonstrates the work they have undertaken and provides a methodology to follow for their future continuous improvement activities.

For organisations looking to undertake the NVQ Diploma in BIT it is important to consider which candidates should undertaken the qualification and at which level, Industry Forum can undertake a pre-assessment prior to enrolment to ensure that the qualification will be appropriate to their needs.