HR Apprentice

Summary

VQ Solutions is seeking a personable individual to join The Potteries Educational Trust as an HR Apprentice. You will support their HR department with administrative tasks, helping to ensure smooth HR operations. This role presents an exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual to embark on a fulfilling HR career.

Wage

£14,566 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

HR support (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday, working hours to be confirmed.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 21 July 2025

Duration

1 year 1 month

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

To participate in all Academy and Trust processes as required
To comply with the Trust policies and codes of practice in relation to Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity, data protection and quality assurance
To work flexibly in the interests of the Academy as required
To participate in the Academy Performance Management Scheme and undertake staff development activities as appropriate
To be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults you are responsible for, or come into contact with, and outside of this, to exercise vigilance at all times
To be a nominated first aider and undertake relevant training as necessary
Provide professional, confidential administrative support to the HR department, including online filing, scanning, document management, record-keeping, word processing, and general office tasks across all areas of HR activity, while ensuring that all personal information is stored securely on both electronic and paper files
To maintain a range of accurate and up to date computerised HR and payroll systems to enable the effective monitoring and reporting of Human Resources
To develop a knowledge and understanding of employee terms and conditions of service
Assist colleagues and the public with enquiries, working collaboratively with the HR Advice team to resolve queries and communicate outcomes to employees and managers as appropriate
To assist with the recruitment and selection cycle ensuring compliance with internal procedures and legislative requirements, including placing advertisements, assisting in the preparation of job application packs, liaising with academy contacts to arrange interviews, and ensuring all pre-employment checks are carried out, recorded and stored correctly, including DBS and Right to Work checks
To carry out administration associated with DBS applications and assist in maintaining an upto-date DBS central record in line with legislative and other requirements
Support the timely and accurate processing of payroll by assisting with contractual changes, including adjustments to hours, casual timesheets, new starters, leavers, and other employment variations
To liaise with external suppliers and agencies in relation to supply and short-term cover requirements
To maintain accurate planned and unplanned absence records and chase outstanding documentation from managers and staff. To monitor and report on planned absence requests to ensure fairness and consistency across the college
To assist with the maintenance of support staff annual leave records
To monitor and support the staff induction and probationary process
Maintain the HR mailbox, ensuring that all queries are responded to in a timely manner and escalating any as necessary to the wider team, ensuring that sufficient and accurate detail is relayed to ensure appropriate follow-up action, referring queries as necessary
Support the offboarding process, ensuring all administrative tasks are completed for departing employees
Handle sensitive information with professionalism, discretion, and integrity, maintaining confidentiality in accordance with Trust policies and GDPR compliance
To support with issuing ID cards for employees, contractors, volunteers, associate teachers and supply staff
To assist with ad-hoc projects as required to meet both the needs of the Trust and the requirements of the HR apprenticeship
To undertake additional training as required
To provide other administrative support across the Trust as required
To undertake other reasonable duties commensurate with seniority and grade

Where you'll work

C/O City Of Stoke On Trent Sixth Form College Leek Road
Stoke-On-Trent
ST4 2RU

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

VQ SOLUTIONS LTD

Your training course

HR support (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Service Delivery: Delivers excellent customer service on a range of HR queries and requirements, providing solutions, advice and support primarily to managers. Builds managers’ expertise in HR matters, improving their ability to handle repeated situations themselves where appropriate. Uses agreed systems and processes to deliver service to customers. Takes the initiative to meet agreed individual and team KPIs in line with company policy, values, standards. Plans and organises their work, often without direct supervision, to meet commitments and KPIs.
Problem Solving: Uses sound questioning and active listening skills to understand requirements and establish root causes before developing HR solutions. Takes ownership through to resolution, escalating complex situations as appropriate.
Communication & Interpersonal: Deals effectively with customers/colleagues, using sound interpersonal skills and communicating well through a range of media eg phone, face to face, email, internet. Adapts their style to their audience. Builds trust and sound relationships with customers. Handles conflict and sensitive HR situations professionally and confidentially.
Teamwork: Consistently supports colleagues /collaborates within the team and HR to achieve results. Builds/maintains strong working relationships with others in the team and across HR where necessary.
Process Improvement: Identifies opportunities to improve HR performance and service; acts on them within the authority of their role. Supports implementation of HR changes/projects with the business.
Managing HR Information: Maintains required HR records as part of services delivered. Prepares reports and management information from HR data, with interpretation as required.
Personal Development: Keeps up to date with business changes and HR legal/policy/process changes relevant to their role. Seeks feedback and acts on it to improve their performance and overall capability.

Your training plan

You will work towards an Advanced Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship, delivered by VQ Solutions. You will have a dedicated VQ Mentor and will also be supported internally by your manager. During this apprenticeship, you will develop a portfolio, attend workshop sessions and have regular reviews. The best part? All apprenticeship work will be completed during working hours.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade Minimum C/4)

Desirable qualifications

A Level in:

Any A Level subject (grade Pass)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Flexibility
Determination

Other requirements

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All employees are subject to an enhanced DBS Disclosure prior to taking up an appointment with the Trust.

About this company

The Potteries Educational Trust is a growing Multi Academy Trust, working collaboratively with educational institutions from across Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire and beyond, seeking to improve outcomes for all children and young people in the region. The Trust is a vibrant Learning Community working to maintain and develop excellent and innovative teaching and learning. The Trust seeks to deliver high quality parental engagement, pastoral support and the pooling of resources and expertise to achieve an Outstanding learning experience and outcomes for all our children and young people. Institutions work together to foster high quality academic and pastoral support, utilising the best elements of educational research in moving existing strong practice to outstanding in every sense.

After this apprenticeship

The majority of our apprentices are offered full-time employment upon the successful completion of their apprenticeship. Previous apprentices have progressed to complete a Level 5 People Professional CIPD apprenticeship.

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