People Apprentice

West Dean College

CHICHESTER (PO18 0QZ)

Closes in 15 days (Wednesday 25 November 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 10 November 2026

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Summary

West Dean College is a unique and creative organisation, bringing together education, arts, heritage, gardens and hospitality. The diverse workforce makes it an interesting and rewarding place to begin a career in HR. This is your chance to join them as a People Apprentice whilst studying for a HR Support Level 3 Apprenticeship qualification.

Wage

£23,132.20 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
HR support (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, including 4 days on site and one day studying at Chichester College – average 7 hours per day.

35 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 25 February 2027

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

What you will gain:

  • Opportunity to work with a small, friendly and collaborative People Team, gaining hands-on experience across all areas of HR, rather thank being limited to one aspect.
  • Experience in a culture which is supportive, inclusive and people-focused, which values teamwork, initiative and a willingness to learn where no two days are the same.
  • Plenty of opportunities to learn, contribute and grow in confidence.

Key Responsibilities:

  • General Administrative Support: Handle day-to-day administrative tasks, including responding to staff queries, preparing contracts, and maintaining HR information systems.
  • Recruitment Support: Assist with recruitment processes, including job postings, reference checks, and onboarding of new employees.
  • Employee Records Management: Maintain and update accurate employee records, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations (e.g. GDPR).
  • Payroll Assistance: Support payroll processing by entering data and addressing payroll-related queries.
  • People Team Policy & Compliance: Ensure adherence to People policies, monitor compliance (e.g., Right to Work checks, DBS checks), and assist with audits.

Who you will be:

  • Someone who is friendly, approachable, enthusiastic and genuinely interested in developing a career in HR.
  • Someone who enjoys working with people, has strong communication and interpersonal skills, and be comfortable supporting colleagues across a diverse organisation.
  • Someone who understands and exercises discretion, professionalism and the ability to handle confidential information sensitively.
  • Someone who is approachable, organised, adaptable and enthusiastic about working with people.
  • Someone with a positive attitude, curiosity and motivation to succeed. No previous HR experience is necessary as a good work ethic, willingness to learn and a genuine desire to develop are far more important.
  • Someone with a genuine interest in HR and supporting people.
  • Someone with some experience in administration processes and office working.

Where you'll work

THE EDWARD JAMES FOUNDATION LIMITED
ESTATE OFFICE
WEST DEAN
CHICHESTER
PO18 0QZ

Training

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

Training provider

CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP

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

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Math (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
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Trustworthy
  • IT Literate
  • Discreet
  • Approachable
  • Professional
  • Multi-tasker
  • Priorities workload

Other requirements

Things to Consider:

  • This role is based at the West Dean Estate in West Dean, West Sussex, which is situated in the South Downs, 6 miles north of Chichester.
  • Onsite parking available.
  • Public Transport is available – closest bus stop is a short walk from the estate while trains go into Chichester and connect with bus services.
  • This is an 18-month apprenticeship to include end point assessment.
  • GCSE Math and English minimum grade 4 is essential for eligibility and A Levels would be an advantage.
  • -Applicants MUST BE resident in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to the start of learning and have work authorisation for the UK.
  • Applicants WILL NOT BE eligible to apply if they have already achieved a qualification which is equal to or higher thank the apprenticeship standard on offer.
  • Applicants MUST BE resident in the area local to the apprenticeship opportunity or be prepared to relocate in time to start employment and study.
  • Applicants MUST BE committed to the learning and stay to the end of the apprenticeship.
  • This role will start immediately on recruitment with the college learning starting in February 2027.
  • There are a range of benefits including 33 days' holiday (including bank holidays), a generous pension scheme, free on-site parking, access to our swimming pool, library and tennis courts, free entry to West Dean Gardens, and free or discounted places on our short courses.

About this employer

The Edward James Foundation Ltd (trading as West Dean Estate) includes West Dean College and West Dean Gardens, is situated a few miles north of Chichester on the western South Downs. Our schools of arts, design and conservation offer a uniquely broad range of world-leading courses. At the heart of all we do, is our belief that 'making' makes our lives better. We celebrate the intrinsic value of work that has been hand-made by artists and artisans and challenge the assumption that mass-produced must be the only way because, across the world, the maker movement is growing. Our second campus is situated in London’s Bloomsbury.

https://www.westdean.ac.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

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

Subject to successful completion of the apprenticeship, a permanent role may be considered. Further training and development opportunities may also be available, depending on business needs and individual performance.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000063399.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Wednesday 25 November 2026 at 11:59pm)