Systems Thinking Practitioner Level 7

Duration: 22 months

We are delighted to have supported the first apprentice in the country to successful completion – congratulations Elisse Grint of NHS England.

The masters degree level STP apprenticeship provides a toolbox of techniques, behaviours and skills to support managers in strategic and leadership roles to understand and address complex and ‘wicked’ problems, through systemic analysis, advice and facilitation.

Often these require cross-boundary collaboration within and between organisations.

The course is purpose designed. As the first provider in the country we have built on the feedback of the first cohorts to make the course absolutely vocational, taught by practitioners and completely focused on applying systems thinking techniques in the workplace. There are no dusty academics here!

“Starting the apprenticeship has been one of the most fulfilling personal development decisions I have ever made. The support that I have received from across my organisation has been brilliant and I always look forward to sharing things that I have learned with my team. It has opened doors that previously, I would not have previously had the confidence to knock on, let alone open. It has been a game-changer for me, and I cannot recommend apprenticeships highly enough.”
Kalpesh Thankey, Apprentice (and Programme Manager), NHS

Our systems thinking apprenticeship has proven particularly popular with public and voluntary sectors, employers and apprentices who trust us with their training include the NHS Project Profession, Alzheimer’s Society, Maximus, Education Development Trust, Department for Education, Kent County Council, Milton Keynes City Council, Sheffield City Council, Reading Council and lots of NHS and other government bodies.

Course Content

The accelerated training phase is 18 months, plus four months for end point assessment.

The format is:

  • Tutor-led, interactive seminars via Teams or Zoom, with leading Systems Thinking practitioners, typically a day a month
  • Monthly 1-2-1 time with an experienced skills coach
  • Online learning and self-study materials
  • Development of an individualised Workplace Development Plan focused on both learner and business needs
  • Quarterly reviews with line managers
  • Self-study

Modules cover:

  • The STP Apprenticeship and What is Systems Thinking?
  • The Tools of Systems Thinking
  • Sense Making of Complex, Messy Problems
  • Working with Self and Others
  • Interventions Introduction
  • Systems Approaches
    • Critical Systems Heuristics
    • Soft Systems Methodology
    • Viable Systems Model
    • System Dynamics
    • Multimethodology
  • Interventions
  • Portfolio Evidence Building
  • Organisational Learning
  • You as a Practitioner

Each presentation of the course is adjusted for the types of complex problems apprentices face at work and includes projects and assignments aligned to their real work.

Get in touch to see how we can help your organisation

This form is for employers or people already in a job role that could lead to an apprenticeship. If you are looking for a new job, please visit our vacancies page.

Read our Privacy & Cookie Policy to see how we will process the data you provide.

Systems Thinking apprenticeships – developing new approaches to problems in the NHS

Richard Goodwin, MD of The JGA Group reflects on the first two years of the Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship, chosen by the NHS Project Profession as its level 7 apprenticeship.

Developing communications and marketing skills
Nirosha Dissanayake

Case Study: Transforming Public Health Provision within Kent

Nirosha Dissanayake, a qualified medical doctor turned public health specialist at Kent County Council, embarked on a transformative journey through The JGA Group’s Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship.

Her story stands as a powerful example of how systems thinking can be applied to improve health outcomes and drive positive change within complex systems.

Our Clients Include:

More apprenticeships