Apprentice HR Assistant
Derwentside College
Durham (DH8 5EE)
Closes in 23 days (Sunday 8 February 2026)
Posted on 15 January 2026
Contents
Summary
Derwentside College is seeking a Human Resources Administration Assistant Apprentice to join our dedicated Human Resources team. This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive individual to develop your HR skills within a respected Further Education college where professionalism, integrity and attention to detail are highly valued.
- Wage
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£18,500 a year
- Training course
- HR support (level 3)
- Hours
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35 Hours per week.
Monday – Thursday, 8:30am – 5pm & Friday 8:30am – 2pm.
35 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 2 March 2026
- Duration
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1 year 6 months
- Positions available
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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
Working closely with the HR Officer and Director of Human Resources, you will play a key role in delivering an efficient, responsive and confidential HR service. From supporting recruitment and onboarding to maintaining accurate HR records and assisting with payroll administration, your contribution will directly support our staff and the wider College community.
Daily duties will include;
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Support the HR Officer with recruitment and onboarding activities, including posting job adverts internally and externally.
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Processing and anonymising applications.
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All aspects of scheduling interviews and candidate correspondence.
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Administering pre-employment checks.
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Responding to candidate queries.
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Welcoming interview candidates and meeting with successful candidates prior to their start date to ensure a positive experience and smooth transition into the organisation.
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Help to draft and prepare employment paperwork under the supervision of the HR Officer, such as offer letters and contracts of employment.
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Help to prepare employee relations paperwork for casework and respond to basic employee inquiries relating to HR policies, directing those more complex issues to the HR Officer or Director of HR as appropriate.
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Support the HR Officer with the processing of Leavers, acknowledging resignations, ensuring completion of internal and external actions related to offboarding, and helping to administer the exit questionnaire process and information.
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Maintenance of HR Records (both physical and electronic).
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Assisting the HR Officer with the administration of monthly payroll processing, helping to report relevant changes, absences etc to payroll and maintaining records.
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Handling and processing confidential information, maintaining confidence at all times.
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Undertaking a range of administrative and clerical tasks relevant to the Human Resources function - responding to queries (in person, via email and on the telephone), filing, typing, data-entry etc.
To review full job description please visit external application link attached.
Where you'll work
Front Street
Consett
Durham
DH8 5EE
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
DERWENTSIDE COLLEGE
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.
Training schedule
All training will be delivered at the workplace.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C)
- Math (grade 4/C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Professional
Other requirements
- Good access to public transport or be able to drive.
- Start date dependent on completion of a DBS check.
- The role involves handling confidential and sensitive information.
- Commitment to safeguarding, equality and health & safety is essential.
- Full training and support will be provided.
About this employer
Derwentside College is a further education provider committed to delivering high-quality education and training to learners across the region. The College supports young people and adults to achieve their potential through inclusive learning, strong employer partnerships and a focus on personal and professional development.
After this apprenticeship
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, it is envisaged that there will be opportunities for progression within the HR function or wider professional services team at Derwentside College, subject to performance and organisational needs.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
DERWENTSIDE COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000008516.
Apply now
Closes in 23 days (Sunday 8 February 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.