Payroll Assistant Apprentice - Great British Energy- Nuclear – Find an apprenticeship

Summary

Are you looking to take your first step into a career in Payroll? Join Great British Nuclear as a Payroll Administration Apprentice and become part of a supportive team that helps pay the people powering the UK.

Wage

£23,810 a year

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Training course

Payroll administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm with 30 minute lunch break.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

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

Joining Great British Energy - Nuclear as a Payroll Administration Apprentice offers an exciting opportunity to kickstart your career in a supportive and dynamic environment. You'll be part of a dedicated HR team, learning and growing alongside experienced professionals who are committed to your development. This role allows you to gain hands-on experience with payroll processes, statutory deductions, and compliance, all while contributing to the smooth operation of the organisation. You'll enjoy the satisfaction of knowing your work directly impacts the efficiency and success of the company. With a focus on continuous learning and collaboration, you'll develop valuable skills that will set you up for future success. If you're someone who thrives on organisation, enjoys problem-solving, and is eager to grow within a reputable company, this role is perfect for you. Great British Energy - Nuclear values professionalism, integrity, and teamwork, making it an ideal place to start your career journey.

Key Responsibilities

Support payroll processes and update & maintain systems
Providing general administration support duties and answering payroll helpdesk queries
Learn about and support statutory leave and payments (e.g., adoption, paternity, shared parental, bereavement) with guidance from the HR team.
Assist with statutory deductions (e.g., income tax, National Insurance, Apprenticeship Levy) under supervision.
Support new starter processes (e.g., handling P45s, Starter Checklists) with help from colleagues.
Assist with pay deductions (statutory, contractual, voluntary) while learning from experienced team members
Help calculate statutory payments (e.g., SSP, SMP) alongside the HR team.
Perform manual payroll calculations (e.g. income tax, National Insurance, pensions, student loans) with support.
Support leaver processes (e.g., managing P45s, payments for leavers) with guidance
Assist with payroll calculations (gross to net pay, statutory payments) under supervision
Produces accurate documents and records
Help with post-payroll processes (e.g., payroll reconciliation, RTI submissions) alongside the HR team
Makes effective decisions

Where you'll work

Renaissance House
Lakeside Drive
Warrington
WA1 1QF

Training

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

College or training organisation

MBKB LTD

Your training course

Payroll administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

gather, analyse and process payroll data and information
resolve different types of queries that may be presented from payroll customers such as employees, clients, management, explaining and documenting responses
deal with complaints, following processes and escalating complex situations
meet client or customer needs in line with service level agreements
provide customer service using agreed systems and processes, taking ownership for work applying agreed processes for checking
adhere to deadlines and process schedules both internal and statutory, mitigating the impact on the business, employees and clients of deadlines not being met by reprioritising tasks when dealing with conflicting or changing demands
select appropriate media for communication etc recognising the advantages and risks related to each method
escalate concerns relating to deadlines in a timely manner, suggesting solutions
use the appropriate communication media for each stakeholder for each situation. Examples may include ‘phone, face-to-face, email and letters, communicating and engaging professionally, accurately and appropriately, respecting the principles of data protection and confidentiality
Build and maintain trust and sound relationships with stakeholders to deliver quality payroll services
develop and maintain strong working relationships with team colleagues, supporting and collaborating to achieve results, seeking advice when appropriate within parameters of the role
use computerised payroll software and spreadsheet packages such as MS Excel
use systems and processes to support the payroll function. Examples may include the provision of accounting information and the Real Time Information submissions to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
gather, analyse and process payroll data and information
resolve different types of queries that may be presented from payroll customers such as employees, clients, management, explaining and documenting responses
deal with complaints, following processes and escalating complex situations
meet client or customer needs in line with service level agreements
provide customer service using agreed systems and processes, taking ownership for work applying agreed processes for checking
adhere to deadlines and process schedules both internal and statutory, mitigating the impact on the business, employees and clients of deadlines not being met by reprioritising tasks when dealing with conflicting or changing demands
select appropriate media for communication etc recognising the advantages and risks related to each method
escalate concerns relating to deadlines in a timely manner, suggesting solutions
use the appropriate communication media for each stakeholder for each situation. Examples may include ‘phone, face-to-face, email and letters, communicating and engaging professionally, accurately and appropriately, respecting the principles of data protection and confidentiality
Build and maintain trust and sound relationships with stakeholders to deliver quality payroll services
develop and maintain strong working relationships with team colleagues, supporting and collaborating to achieve results, seeking advice when appropriate within parameters of the role
use computerised payroll software and spreadsheet packages such as MS Excel
use systems and processes to support the payroll function. Examples may include the provision of accounting information and the Real Time Information submissions to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

Your training plan

Day release to training provider at 31-33 Market Place, Wigan, Greater Manchester, WN1 1PE.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

5 GCSE's including Maths and English (grade 4/C or above)

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
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative

Other requirements

Please be mindful, would will need to travel to the training provider in Wigan 1 day a week.

About this company

As the specialists in skills for science and technology, our purpose is to make sure your business; your people and our industry are future ready. We are a not-for-profit charitable organisation with a family of commercially focused companies committed to supporting the skills, needs and ambitions across the UK science and technology sector.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

This role is part of our talent plan for the future. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will be eligible to be considered for any other suitable vacancies.

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