HR Support Apprentice Level 3

Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Bristol, London, NEWCASTLE, Nottingham

Closes in 10 days (Monday 4 May 2026)

Posted on 24 April 2026

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Summary

We are recruiting 4 new L3 HR Support Apprentices into the Organisational Capability, Talent, Equality Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Division in Human Resources, and Defra HR pensions. We are a friendly team that are passionate about supporting staff across Defra group to thrive. 

 

Wage

£29,715 a year

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Training course
HR support (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 16:30.

37 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 July 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

4

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

We want to support the development and exposure of our apprentices so you may be asked to work on different projects across the division as you develop your skills.

Tasks could include (but are not limited to):

  • Support in mailbox monitoring and triaging
  • Coordinating the delivery of talent, and learning and development activities, ensuring effective planning, smooth logistics, and high-quality administrative support
  • Safeguarding personal data and ensuring GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) compliance across all documentation, systems, and communications
  • Supporting work on high-priority projects and initiatives involving senior members of staff
  • Conducting basic research and analysis, extracting insights from source data and presenting emerging issues and trends to support team planning and continuous improvement
  • Following processes related to financial and commercial work, such as raising purchase orders and processing invoices
  • Maintaining key programme documentation, including risk registers, trackers, and governance materials, ensuring accuracy and version control
  • Developing and maintaining strong working relationships across the team and with wider business areas to enable effective collaboration.
    Responding to queries promptly and accurately, providing a high standard of customer service
  • Supporting internal communication activities, including drafting intranet articles and newsletters, contributing to communication campaigns, and maintaining SharePoint site content to ensure information is accurate, accessible, and up to date

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

  • Horizon House, Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AH
  • Seacole House, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF
  • TYNESIDE HOUSE, SKINNERBURN ROAD, NEWCASTLE, NE4 7AR
  • Environment Agency, Trent Side North, Scarrington Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 5FA

Training

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

Training provider

BABINGTON BUSINESS COLLEGE LIMITED

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

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

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
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative

About this employer

At the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), we are passionate about our work. We are the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people’s day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.

After this apprenticeship

  • This is a permanent position and after successful completion of your apprenticeship your employment will continue and you'll have the skills to progress within our Directorate or within the wider Defra business community

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BABINGTON BUSINESS COLLEGE LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000028173.

Apply now

Closes in 10 days (Monday 4 May 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.