Payroll & Pensions Assistant Apprentice

East Kent College

Canterbury (CT1 3AJ)

Closes in 30 days (Friday 20 November 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 21 October 2026

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Summary

Working as part of the Group Payroll Team you will assist with the
processing of the monthly payrolls and pensions administration for the Group and EKC Schools Trust.

Wage

£22,198 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Payroll administrator (level 3)
Hours
Working Hours -Monday to Thursday 8.30am- 5.00pm, Friday- 8.30am- 4.30pm

37 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 25 November 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

Main duties will include:

  • Providing first-line support for payroll and pension enquiries via email, phone and online systems
  • Delivering excellent customer service and responding to queries professionally and confidentially
  • Processing payroll administration, including new starters, leavers and employee changes
  • Assisting with payroll calculations, additional hours claims and pension documentation
  • Preparing reports, correspondence and payroll-related records accurately and on time
  • Supporting monthly payroll activities and payments in line with HMRC requirements
  • Maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with data protection and company policies
  • Working closely with the Payroll Manager and wider team to support day-to-day payroll operations
  • Developing knowledge and skills through training and apprenticeship learning

Where you'll work

New Dover Road
Canterbury
CT1 3AJ

Training

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

Training provider

EKC GROUP

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 is mainly delivered through monthly virtual classroom sessions and workshops, supported by one-to-one online sessions with a specialist tutor
  • Apprentices also complete workplace learning, shadowing and mentoring as part of their role

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
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative

Other requirements

  • Passing a DBS check
  • There may be possibility to travel to other EKC sites for meetings

About this employer

EKC Group is one of the largest education and training providers in the South East, supporting thousands of learners, apprentices and employers across Kent each year. The Group is made up of a number of colleges, training businesses and commercial enterprises, all working towards a shared goal of transforming lives through learning.

Joining EKC Group means becoming part of an organisation that values innovation, collaboration and making a positive difference to local communities through education and skills development. 

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

Company benefits

  • Generous annual leave
  • Excellent pension scheme
  • Wellbeing support including: free counselling, occupational health support, free eye tests and glasses vouchers, annual flu jab vouchers.
  • Salary sacrifice schemes for cycle to work, technology purchases and lease cars.
  • Staff discounts including use of the EKC facilities - The Yarrow Hotel, Canterbury College Spa.

After this apprenticeship

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

  • Possibility of securing a permanent position within EKC Group

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

EKC GROUP

Sasha Caplan

sasha.caplan@eastkent.ac.uk

01227 811315

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000060380.

Apply now

Closes in 30 days (Friday 20 November 2026 at 11:59pm)