HR Support Apprentice
| Posting date: | 11 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £18,900 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 28 September 2025 |
| Location: | Swindon, Wiltshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | UKRI |
| Job type: | Apprenticeship |
| Job reference: | 1433 |
Summary
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Salary: £18,900 per annum, rising to £22,011 per annum after 12 months
Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 18 months
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours
Location: Polaris House, North Star Ave, Swindon SN2 1FL
Closing Date: Sunday, 28th September 2025
Interview Date: w/c 13th October 2025
Start Date: w/c 10th November 2025
About the Role
UKRI Research and Innovation (UKRI) is offering an exciting opportunity to join our HR Operations team as an HR Support Assistant apprentice. The HR Operations teams provide high-quality advice and support to people managers and employees on day-to-day HR queries, key HR processes, UKRI policies and employee relations cases as they arise. Working closely with the HR Advisors, and with interaction from the Centres of Expertise and UK Shared Business Services, you will be the first point of contact for many employees and managers. The role is busy and varied, with key activities required; therefore, good organisational skills are essential.
The role is ideal for someone starting their HR career who will be supported by HR Operations colleagues and will be encouraged to get involved with activities run by the UKRI Early Careers Network and UKRI Apprenticeship Team.
Key Responsibilities:
As an HR Support Assistant Apprentice, you’ll provide essential support to the HR Operations department, including:
✔Provide advice to employees and managers on UKRI policy and processes
✔Review and action staff change forms and provide advice on associated policy and completion of forms where appropriate.
✔Act as gatekeeper for the HR inbox, ensuring queries are dealt with in a timely manner, managing day-to-day queries and escalating to the appropriate person/team if appropriate
✔Champion the use of HR self-service options to aid line managers and employees on generic HR policy and process queries
✔Handle and manage confidential data where required
What you will learn
As an apprentice, at least 20% of your contracted working hours will be dedicated to undertaking professional development and training as part of a cohort of apprentices with Babington, completing the Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship.
This professional development programme, delivered over 15 months, covers essential themes that are designed to develop your knowledge and experience to become a well-rounded, proficient HR professional. Sessions will be delivered online through workshops, small group study sessions and self-guided study. You will also be supported on a 1:1 basis throughout your apprenticeship by a dedicated Coach.
To support your development, you will receive:
⚫A dedicated line manager and mentor
⚫Regular progress reviews with the training provider and line manager
⚫Opportunities to work alongside experienced HR professionals
⚫Time and guidance to build a portfolio of evidence aligned to the apprenticeship’s knowledge, skills, and behaviours
⚫Involvement in real-world work that contributes directly to supporting UKRI’s workforce
Upon completion of this apprenticeship, you will achieve:
⚫Nationally recognised Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship
⚫CIPD L3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice
⚫Opportunity to apply for Associate CIPD membership upon completion
We are looking for the following
✔Applicants must be committed to working towards the Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship
✔Excellent presentation and written communication skills as demonstrated within your CV and Covering Letter
✔Strong organisational and time management abilities
✔Good attention to detail and levels of accuracy
✔Good verbal communication and interpersonal skills
✔Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
✔Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
✔An understanding of handling sensitive and confidential information appropriately
Other relevant information
When applying for an apprenticeship, there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met. Check your eligibility: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-funding-rules-2025-to-2026
How to Apply
For full details/important information and to apply, click ‘Apply’ within this Ad which will direct you to our external Careers Page. Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based on how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.
Salary: £18,900 per annum, rising to £22,011 per annum after 12 months
Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 18 months
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours
Location: Polaris House, North Star Ave, Swindon SN2 1FL
Closing Date: Sunday, 28th September 2025
Interview Date: w/c 13th October 2025
Start Date: w/c 10th November 2025
About the Role
UKRI Research and Innovation (UKRI) is offering an exciting opportunity to join our HR Operations team as an HR Support Assistant apprentice. The HR Operations teams provide high-quality advice and support to people managers and employees on day-to-day HR queries, key HR processes, UKRI policies and employee relations cases as they arise. Working closely with the HR Advisors, and with interaction from the Centres of Expertise and UK Shared Business Services, you will be the first point of contact for many employees and managers. The role is busy and varied, with key activities required; therefore, good organisational skills are essential.
The role is ideal for someone starting their HR career who will be supported by HR Operations colleagues and will be encouraged to get involved with activities run by the UKRI Early Careers Network and UKRI Apprenticeship Team.
Key Responsibilities:
As an HR Support Assistant Apprentice, you’ll provide essential support to the HR Operations department, including:
✔Provide advice to employees and managers on UKRI policy and processes
✔Review and action staff change forms and provide advice on associated policy and completion of forms where appropriate.
✔Act as gatekeeper for the HR inbox, ensuring queries are dealt with in a timely manner, managing day-to-day queries and escalating to the appropriate person/team if appropriate
✔Champion the use of HR self-service options to aid line managers and employees on generic HR policy and process queries
✔Handle and manage confidential data where required
What you will learn
As an apprentice, at least 20% of your contracted working hours will be dedicated to undertaking professional development and training as part of a cohort of apprentices with Babington, completing the Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship.
This professional development programme, delivered over 15 months, covers essential themes that are designed to develop your knowledge and experience to become a well-rounded, proficient HR professional. Sessions will be delivered online through workshops, small group study sessions and self-guided study. You will also be supported on a 1:1 basis throughout your apprenticeship by a dedicated Coach.
To support your development, you will receive:
⚫A dedicated line manager and mentor
⚫Regular progress reviews with the training provider and line manager
⚫Opportunities to work alongside experienced HR professionals
⚫Time and guidance to build a portfolio of evidence aligned to the apprenticeship’s knowledge, skills, and behaviours
⚫Involvement in real-world work that contributes directly to supporting UKRI’s workforce
Upon completion of this apprenticeship, you will achieve:
⚫Nationally recognised Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship
⚫CIPD L3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice
⚫Opportunity to apply for Associate CIPD membership upon completion
We are looking for the following
✔Applicants must be committed to working towards the Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship
✔Excellent presentation and written communication skills as demonstrated within your CV and Covering Letter
✔Strong organisational and time management abilities
✔Good attention to detail and levels of accuracy
✔Good verbal communication and interpersonal skills
✔Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
✔Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
✔An understanding of handling sensitive and confidential information appropriately
Other relevant information
When applying for an apprenticeship, there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met. Check your eligibility: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-funding-rules-2025-to-2026
How to Apply
For full details/important information and to apply, click ‘Apply’ within this Ad which will direct you to our external Careers Page. Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based on how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.