HR Apprentice
The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge
Addenbrookes Hospital (CB2 0QQ)
Closes in 9 days (Sunday 30 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 19 August 2026
Contents
Summary
This role is perfect for someone looking to gain valuable experience in HR while receiving comprehensive training and support. As a Human Resources Apprentice, you'll provide professional administrative support across HR functions, gaining insights into the full HR lifecycle.
- Wage
-
£20,559 a year
- Training course
- HR support (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday
Shifts to be confirmed
36 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 5 October 2026
- Duration
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2 years
- 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
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the HR Coordinators and the Business Operations Manager in providing an efficient administrative service
- Learn how to manage the HR inbox, responding to appropriate queries and directing enquiries to the relevant HR contact where required
- Learn how to use the University’s HR systems and assist with data entry and maintenance of HR records, databases, and spreadsheets
- Learn about recruitment processes and assist with recruitment administration, including placing adverts, scheduling interviews, preparing documentation and supporting offer processes
- Learn about the employee onboarding and offboarding processes and provide administrative support throughout the employee lifecycle
- Accurately maintain personnel files
- Assist with day-to-day enquiries, escalating more complex queries to the wider HR team
- Support with contract extensions and contract changes
- Support the administration of absence management processes, including monitoring sickness absence and annual leave records
- Support the monitoring of HR reports and assist with communicating with managers and staff regarding appraisals, probation periods, fixed-term contracts, visa expiry dates, professional registrations, and training requirements
- Support visitor management processes and assist with visitor agreements and related administrative tasks
- Assist with the promotion and staff reward schemes
- Assist with the delivery of projects across the HR team
- Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information appropriately
Where you'll work
Department of Clinical Biochemistry
Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories
Level 4, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science
Addenbrookes Hospital
CB2 0QQ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
WEST SUFFOLK 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
- The learner will be studying the HR Support Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard qualification
- CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
About this employer
The University of Cambridge is one of the world’s oldest and most successful universities. They are a renowned centre for research, education, and scholarship that makes a significant contribution to society. The University is consistently ranked amongst the top universities in the world. Their affiliates have won more Nobel Prizes than any other University.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- On successful completion of the apprenticeship, there may be suitable progression opportunities within the University of Cambridge
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE
apprenticeships@easterneducationgroup.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000048606.
Apply now
Closes in 9 days (Sunday 30 August 2026 at 11:59pm)