Payroll Apprentice - Duxford, Cambridge

HEXCEL COMPOSITES LTD

Cambridge (CB22 4QB)

Closes in 15 days (Monday 12 October 2026)

Posted on 25 September 2026

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Summary

This is a great opportunity for someone looking to kickstart their career in payroll within a long-established thriving growing company. Due to the nature of the work applicants must be 18 or over.

Note - there is no set start date at present, the listed date is not set, although as soon as possible.

Wage

£26,520 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Payroll administrator (level 3)
Hours
You will work a 37.5-hour week on a Monday to Friday, 08.30-16.45 although flexitime is available. Office-based role initially but hybrid working of up to 2 days from home is available.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 26 October 2026

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

Effective provision of payroll and pay-related functions, maintain accurate and timely HRIS updates and employee records, and ensure the efficient control, understanding, and application of relevant administrative, payroll legislation, company policies and procedures.

  • Undertake and successfully complete the agreed Payroll Apprenticeship qualification, applying learning in the workplace and meeting all study, assessment and attendance requirements.
  • Support the administration of payroll in accordance with all relevant legal requirements and company procedures, developing the knowledge and skills required to deliver a consistent and accurate payroll service to UK employees, including year-end payroll processes, auto-enrolment administration and associated payroll activities.
  • Support the administration and maintenance of payroll, HRIS and time and attendance systems, ensuring employee information is entered accurately, maintained appropriately and kept up to date in accordance with company policies and procedures.
  • Assist with the preparation and validation of payroll calculations, including statutory payments, deductions, pension contributions, salary sacrifice arrangements and other payroll adjustments, under the guidance of the payroll team,
  • Develop an understanding of payroll legislation and compliance requirements, supporting the completion of statutory reporting and documentation in line with legislated deadlines, including PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments and pension auto-enrolment regulations.
  • Process and communicate routine changes to pay and employee job details to relevant departments and managers and assist in producing payroll and HR reports to support payroll validation, auditing requirements and management decision-making.
  • Learn and apply company pay-related policies and procedures, including company car administration, pension schemes, share schemes and bonus arrangements.
  • Provide a first point of contact for routine payroll-related queries, delivering a professional and customer-focused service. Escalate complex issues requiring specialist advice as appropriate.
  • Develop knowledge of Hexcel payroll, HRIS and time and attendance systems, supporting system testing, upgrades, implementations and process improvement activities where required.
  • Identify opportunities to improve payroll and HR administrative processes and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the team.
  • Administer pay-related records for temporary workers and contractors, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company procedures.
  • Administer, issue and monitor employee Photo ID cards.
  • Maintain confidentiality and handle employee information in accordance with data protection requirements, company policies and payroll best practice.
  • Work closely with colleagues, managers, training providers and other stakeholders to support both operational objectives and successful completion of the apprenticeship programme.

Where you'll work

Ickleton Road
Duxford
Cambridge
CB22 4QB

Training

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

Training provider

SWARM TRAINING C.I.C.

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)

Training schedule

Training will be with Swarm Training, a national apprenticeship provider in the UK. The successful candidate will work towards a Level 3 Payroll Administrator apprenticeship which takes 16-18 months to complete. The apprentice must complete a minimum of 6 hours per week during working hours, with monthly training sessions conducted by a tutor, with tasks assigned to be completed during those hours.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4/C)
  • Maths (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
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills

Other requirements

Driving license and car required due to location.

About this employer

Hexcel delivers advanced composite materials that help aerospace, defense, and industrial innovators build lighter, stronger, and smarter solutions.

https://www.hexcel.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Free parking
  • Canteen with funded and subsidised catering
  • Incrementally funded Private medical option
  • Salary sacrifice
  • 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
  • Share scheme after 6 months

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Initially a fixed contract and we anticipate a full-time role permanent after the apprenticeship depending on performance.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SWARM TRAINING C.I.C.

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000055546.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Monday 12 October 2026)

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