Productivity Improvement Scholarship
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Building Sector Wider Capability
The Future of Manufacturing Foundation has been established to support the long-term success of UK manufacturing.
A core focus is improving productivity by developing people within organisations who can deliver measurable performance improvement.
The Productivity Improvement Scholarship has been created as a practical way to support this. It provides part-funding for individuals working in manufacturing businesses who have the potential to grow and the opportunity to apply what they learn in the workplace.
This is not a general training fund. It is an investment in people who can contribute directly to improving business performance.
Why this exists
The UK has a long-standing productivity challenge, and manufacturing sits at the centre of the solution.
Many organisations are investing in systems, technology and improvement activity. At the same time, they are operating with skills gaps, increasing cost pressure and growing operational complexity. Industry research continues to highlight that access to skills is one of the most significant factors shaping growth, while investment in digitalisation and new technologies is accelerating.
The challenge is not a lack of intent, it is ensuring that investment translates into measurable results.
In practice, this requires people inside organisations who can lead, apply and sustain improvement. Without that capability, development activity does not consistently convert into better performance.
The Productivity Improvement Scholarship has been established to address this directly - supporting individuals who can apply learning, deliver improvement and contribute to stronger outcomes within their organisation and the wider sector.
What the scholarship supports
The scholarship provides up to 60% contribution towards selected development programmes, delivered by the Manufacturers Network at Trafford Park.
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Programmes are practical, application-led and designed to support real improvement activity within the workplace.
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The programmes available under the scholarship are:
Each programme is structured to support the development of capability that can be applied directly within the business.
Who this is for
The scholarship is intended for individuals working within manufacturing organisations who have the potential to grow and contribute more significantly to business performance.
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Applicants are not expected to have all the answers today. However, they must be in a position where development will lead to increased responsibility, stronger contribution, and the opportunity to deliver improvement within the organisation.
Eligibility and criteria
To be considered for the Productivity Improvement Scholarship:
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The applicant must be employed within a manufacturing organisation and supported by their employer.
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They must have a clear opportunity to apply their learning in the workplace, with the time and space to do so.
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A named internal mentor must be in place to support their development and provide guidance throughout the programme.
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Applications must demonstrate how the programme will support both the individual’s development and the performance of the business. This should include a clear improvement focus or area of responsibility where learning can be applied.
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The Foundation will prioritise applications where there is a strong link between development, application and measurable business benefit.
How applications are assessed
Each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.​ The assessment focuses on the strength of the overall case, including the individual, the business context and the opportunity to apply learning.
Successful applications will demonstrate that:
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The individual is in a position to benefit from the development.​
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The organisation will support application of learning.​
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There is a credible opportunity to deliver improvement.
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The objective is to ensure that funding is allocated where it is most likely to result in meaningful outcomes.
How to apply
Applications are designed to be straightforward and focused on impact.
Applicants will be asked to provide:
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An overview of the organisation and current challenges or priorities.
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Information on the individual applying and their current role.
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A short statement outlining how the programme will support their development and contribute to business performance.
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Confirmation of internal mentor support.
Supporting information may be included where relevant.
Key principle
This is not a training subsidy. It is an investment in people who can deliver measurable performance improvement within manufacturing organisations.
Delivery
All programmes are delivered by the Manufacturers Network at Trafford Park. The Manufacturers Network works with manufacturing organisations globally to develop capability in operational excellence, leadership and continuous improvement, with a focus on practical application and measurable results.
Supporting people. Strengthening capability. Improving performance in UK manufacturing.
First Line Lean Leader Programme
The First Line Lean Leader Programme is designed for supervisors, team leaders and first line managers responsible for day-to-day operations.
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It focuses on building the practical leadership capability required to run effective teams, manage performance and apply Lean principles in a live production environment.
Who it is for
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First line managers and supervisors
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Team leaders stepping into leadership roles
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Individuals responsible for people, performance and output
What you will learn
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How to lead teams in a Lean environment
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Core Lean principles and how they apply on the shop floor
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Managing performance through daily routines and visual management
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Effective communication and engagement techniques
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Structured problem solving (including A3 thinking)
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How to balance operational delivery with team development
How it is delivered
The programme is delivered face-to-face and combines practical learning with hands-on exercises and simulations.
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Participants will apply learning throughout the programme and complete a final presentation based on improvements within their area.
Outcomes
Participants will leave with the confidence and structure to:
Lead teams more effectively
Improve day-to-day performance
Apply Lean thinking in a practical way
Take ownership of improvement activity within their area
Continuous Improvement Essentials (LCS Level 1a)
Continuous Improvement Essentials provides a practical introduction to Lean and Continuous Improvement.
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It is designed to build awareness and understanding of how improvement works in a manufacturing environment and how individuals can contribute.
Who it is for
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Individuals new to Lean or Continuous Improvement
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Operators, support roles and early career professionals
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Anyone looking to understand how improvement fits into their role
What you will learn
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Core principles of Lean and Continuous Improvement
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The concept of value and waste (8 wastes)
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Introduction to problem solving
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How improvement activity supports business performance
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The role individuals play in improving processes
How it is delivered
Delivered as a one-day programme, combining interactive learning with practical examples from manufacturing.
Outcomes
Participants will:
Understand how Lean applies to their role
Be able to identify waste and improvement opportunities
Contribute more effectively to improvement activity
Build a foundation for further development
Continuous Improvement Practitioner Programme (LCS Level 1c)
The Continuous Improvement Practitioner Programme develops the skills required to lead and deliver structured improvement activity within a business.
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It is built around practical application, with each participant completing a live improvement project.
Who it is for
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Individuals responsible for improvement activity
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CI practitioners or engineers
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High-potential employees developing into improvement roles
What you will learn
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Structured problem solving methodologies
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Root cause analysis techniques
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Data collection and analysis
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Process mapping and value stream thinking
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How to manage and deliver improvement projects
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Stakeholder engagement and change management
How it is delivered
Delivered over multiple modules, supported by coaching.
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Participants complete a real business improvement project, applying tools and techniques in their own environment.
Outcomes
Participants will:
Deliver a measurable improvement project
Develop confidence in leading improvement activity
Apply structured methodologies to solve problems
Contribute directly to business performance
​Advanced CI Leadership Programme (LCS Level 2b)
The Advanced CI Leadership Programme is designed for individuals leading improvement at a strategic or cross-functional level.
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It focuses on building the capability to develop systems, align improvement to strategy, and lead cultural change.
Who it is for
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Senior CI practitioners and managers
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Operational leaders responsible for improvement
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Individuals leading transformation or OpEx programmes
What you will learn
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How to align improvement activity to business strategy
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Developing and sustaining a Continuous Improvement culture
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Leadership behaviours required for Operational Excellence
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Building systems and governance for improvement
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Coaching and developing others
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Scaling improvement across functions or sites
How it is delivered
Delivered through a series of interactive workshops, supported by practical application and project work.
Outcomes
Participants will:
Lead improvement beyond individual projects
Build capability within teams and functions
Align improvement to strategic objectives
Drive sustainable performance improvement
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Programme develops the capability to lead structured improvement projects using data-driven methodologies.
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It combines Lean thinking with Six Sigma tools to improve quality, reduce variation and increase efficiency.
Who it is for
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Engineers, analysts and CI practitioners
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Individuals leading improvement projects
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Professionals looking to develop data-driven problem solving skills
What you will learn
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DMAIC methodology (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control)
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Data analysis and basic statistical tools
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Root cause analysis and process capability
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Waste reduction and process improvement
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Project selection and management
How it is delivered
Delivered through structured modules with practical exercises and project application.
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Participants are required to complete a live improvement project.
Outcomes
Participants will:
Deliver measurable improvements in cost, quality or performance
Use data to support decision making
Apply structured problem solving methods
Build confidence in leading improvement projects
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Programme develops advanced capability in leading complex, high-impact improvement initiatives.
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It is focused on deep analytical thinking, leadership of change, and delivering significant business results.
Who it is for
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Experienced CI practitioners
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Senior engineers or improvement leads
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Individuals responsible for major improvement or transformation initiatives
What you will learn
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Advanced statistical analysis and data interpretation
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Leading complex, cross-functional improvement projects
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Coaching Green Belts and developing capability
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Strategic project selection and prioritisation
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Change leadership and stakeholder management
How it is delivered
Delivered through advanced modules, supported by coaching and project delivery.
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Participants complete high-value improvement projects within their organisation.
Outcomes
Participants will:
Deliver significant financial and operational improvements
Lead complex improvement programmes
Develop capability across teams
Influence and drive change at a senior level