Business Improvement Techniques (7576)

Last Updated: 29 Jul 2022
This suite of qualifications provides the learner with all of the skills (from basic to advanced) in order to effectively monitor and make improvements to production and manufacturing processes.  The learner will be assessed in the workplace and on completion of this qualification the learner will be well placed to work in a variety of business improvement roles in their chosen industry.   
The NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques is for anybody whose work involves business performance or who wants to work in this sector. The qualification is open to existing workers or new entrants - you don't need any previous experience to take the course.
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

Depending on the options you choose you'll learn about things like:

  • Compliance with regulations and health and safety requirements
  • Effective team working
  • Reducing costs
  • Analysis and problem solving
  • Applying workplace organisation techniques
  • Applying basic statistics.

To gain an NVQ, you need to show you've got a particular set of skills. You usually work with your training provider to review your current skills and find the best way to gain new ones - perhaps by trying new things at work, or by studying.

NVQs are assessed at work or in a simulated workplace. For each unit your assessor watches and asks questions as you perform a task, or looks at a portfolio of work that you've built as formal evidence of your learning. Then they confirm you've got the skills to do the job well.

For the NVQ in Business Improvement Techniques your work activities and results will be assessed in your workplace.

Is this Level right for me?

Level 2

You work or want to work in a business improvement environment, and may already have some knowledge and basic skills in the industry. You want to increase your skills and knowledge of the processes involved to improve your career prospects or move on to further study.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

The NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques can help you find work in a number of roles including:

  • Engineering Operative
  • Supervisor/Team Leader.

After completing this qualification you might want to learn more and move on to:

  • Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques.
What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

To deliver these qualifications you will need suitably qualified staff to carry out training and assessment.

You will also need suitable facilities to carry out the required training to enable learners to achieve industry standards.

To find all the resource requirements for assessment and delivery, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

Anyone can take this qualification, but you must make sure all your learners can access the resources they need to complete it.

Level 2

Level 2 is ideal if you work or want to work in a business improvement environment. You may already have some knowledge and basic skills in the industry. You want to increase your skills and knowledge of the processes involved to improve your career prospects or move on to further study.

You will complete two core units:

  • Complying with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements
  • Contributing to effective team working.

You will also choose one specialist pathway from:

  • Process Improvement
  • Quality Improvement.
Process Improvement Pathway

You complete three more core units:

  • Applying workplace organisation techniques
  • Applying continuous improvement techniques (Kaizen)
  • Creating visual management systems.

You also choose one optional unit from a range, including:

  • Applying problem solving techniques
  • Carrying out potential failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA)
  • Creating standard operating procedures.

Quality Improvement Pathway

You will complete three more core units:

  • Applying Six Sigma methodology to a project
  • Carrying out Six Sigma process mapping
  • Applying basic statistics.

You will also choose one unit from a range, including:

  • Carrying out statistical process control procedures (SPC)
  • Carrying out measurement systems analysis (MSA).

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the additional documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

The NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques can help you find work in a number of roles including:

  • Engineering Operative
  • Supervisor/Team Leader.

After completing this qualification you might want to learn more and move on to:

  • Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques.
Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques (7576-02)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques - Process Improvement

  • Accreditation No: 500/7473/8 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 56 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 249 - 323 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 560 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £124.50 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques - Quality Improvement

  • Accreditation No: 500/7473/8 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 56 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 249 - 323 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 560 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £124.50 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3

Level 3 will suit you if you have worked in a business improvement environment for some time. You are keen to increase your skills and knowledge in order to take on a more responsible role in the industry.

You choose one specialist pathway from:

  • Process Improvement
  • Quality Improvement.

Process Improvement Pathway

The total minimum credit value of this pathway is 94 and comprises both mandatory and optional units. Units include:

  • Complying with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements
  • Leading effective teams
  • Applying workplace organisation techniques
  • Applying continuous improvement techniques (Kaizen).

Quality Improvement Pathway

The total minimum credit value of this pathway is 112 and comprises both mandatory and optional units.

For a full list of units and details about requirements for both pathways, download the qualification handbook from the additional documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

The NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques can help you find work in a number of roles including:

  • Engineering Operative
  • Supervisor/Team Leader.

After completing this qualification you might want to learn more and move on to:

  • Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques.
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques (7576-03)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023 Supportive services: SmartScreen Learning Assistant

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques - Process Improvement

  • Accreditation No: 501/0600/4 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 94 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 320 - 433 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 940 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £166.90 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques - Quality Improvement

  • Accreditation No: 501/0600/4 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 94 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 320 - 433 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 940 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £166.90 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 4

Level 4 is ideal if you have experience leading on business improvement programmes. You are probably from a role where you have managed a team of people.  You want to increase your skills and knowledge in order to develop your role further or gain promotion.

You choose one specialist pathway from:

  • Process Improvement
  • Quality Improvement.

Process Improvement Pathway

You must achieve a minimum credit value of 106, comprised of both mandatory and optional units.

Quality Improvement Pathway

You must achieve a minimum credit value 120, comprised of both mandatory and optional units.

For a full list of units and details about requirements for both pathways, download the qualification handbook from the additional documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

The NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques can help you find work in a number of roles including:

  • Manager

After completing this qualification you might want to learn more and move on to ILM qualifications.

Level 4 Business Improvement Techniques (7576-04)
Last Registration Date: 01 Apr 2021 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques - Process Improvement

  • Accreditation No: 501/1736/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 106 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 320 - 380 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 1060 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 01/04/2024 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques - Quality Improvement

  • Accreditation No: 501/1736/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 106 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 320 - 380 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 1060 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 01/04/2024 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Additional information for centres

Smart Screen

SMARTSCREEN IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS QUALIFICATION

SmartScreen is our online portal for tutor, assessors and learners that provides unit-specific support materials and tutor forums to complement the delivery and learning experience

Visit Smartscreen.co.uk >

Learning Assistant

LEARNING ASSISTANT IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS QUALIFICATION

Learning Assistant is an innovative and cost effective e-portfolio solution that allows colleges and training providers to dramatically improve the delivery of their vocational qualifications.

Learn more about Learning Assistant >

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form