Payroll Administrator Apprentice
DRAIN LINE SOUTHERN LTD
Heathfield (TN21 8RA)
Closes in 16 days (Monday 2 November 2026)
Posted on 16 October 2026
Contents
Summary
Drainline is looking to recruit a Level 3 Payroll Administrator Apprentice. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to kickstart their career in Payroll within a thriving growing company.
- Wage
-
£22,880 a year
- Training course
- Payroll administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
You will work a 40-hour week on a Monday to Friday, with some flexibility around start and finish times.
Office based role.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 30 November 2026
- Duration
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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
Payroll Processing and Data Entry
- Assist with entering and updating employee payroll information, including new starters, leavers and basic contractual pay changes
- Help collate, check and input timesheets ahead of payroll deadlines
- Support the Payroll Manager with routine payroll changes and monthly payroll preparation
- Help check payroll information for accuracy before processing
- Assist with maintaining accurate holiday, sickness and absence records
Compliance and Statutory Administration
- Learn how UK payroll legislation applies in practice, including PAYE, National Insurance, statutory sick pay, statutory maternity and paternity pay, and pension contributions
- Assist with RTI data checks and basic HMRC submission administration
- Help maintain accurate and confidential employee payroll records in line with GDPR and internal data retention requirements
- Follow internal payroll processes and escalate any errors, queries or concerns to the Payroll Manager
Employee Queries and Payroll Support
- Act as a first point of contact for routine payroll queries from employees
- Respond to basic payroll queries by email, phone or in person
- Escalate more complex payroll issues to the Payroll Manager.
- Assist with holiday pay calculations
- Support employees and managers with routine payroll administration where required
Wider Payroll Administration
The payroll function also supports a number of related administrative tasks. The apprentice may therefore assist with:
- Processing Parking Charge Notices
- Issuing birthday vouchers
- Requesting probation reviews
- Maintaining holiday taken records
- Maintaining sickness records
- Other payroll and employee administration tasks as required
Where you'll work
Burwash Road
Heathfield
TN21 8RA
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.
More training information
There is no specific start date at present and we reserve the right to changed the closing date.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
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
- Analytical skills
About this employer
Drainline was established in 2003 and the management team have over 100 years combined experience in the drainage industry. Due to their commitment to our customers, being available 24/7, and the ability of solving problems in-house quickly and efficiently; they have generated a portfolio of blue chip, commercial and private sector clients, which we are very proud of. Working across the UK, including: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, London, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Sussex.
https://www.drainline.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
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
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
The role offers the opportunity of a permanent role for the right person with future growth in the company.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SWARM TRAINING C.I.C.
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000059522.
Apply now
Closes in 16 days (Monday 2 November 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.