Business and Administration Apprentice (HR Assistant)

Old Moat; Manchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in Manchester is seeking a dedicated HR Assistant Apprentice to support recruitment services and gain a Level 3 Business Administration qualification. This apprenticeship offers a permanent contract and competitive salary upon completion. The ideal candidate will have strong IT and communication skills, demonstrating a commitment to self-development. This role provides a unique opportunity to start a career in Human Resources, with a focus on learning and growth.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Local government pension scheme

Enhanced parental leave

Learning and development opportunities

Paid volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to self-development and quality service.
• Ability to cope with a multi-tasked workload.
• Clear and professional communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in delivering high-quality recruitment service.
• Help update service information systems.
• Handle internal and external queries courteously.

Skills

Strong IT skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths and English

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About The Role

Working hours: 35 hours per week (flexible working)

Contract type: Permanent

Closing date: 11.59pm, 23 November 2025

Interview method: in person

This role is subject to:

• Proof of Manchester Residency – Roles at Grade 1 to 3, traineeships, or apprenticeships will initially only be advertised to Manchester residents and internal candidates. An applicant is classed as a resident of Manchester if they live within the boundaries of the City of Manchester; i.e. Any Council Tax liability for their home would be with Manchester City Council. To check if you fall under the Manchester City Council boundary please visit https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

• This role is an advanced apprenticeship and as such, the successful applicant will be required to undertake a course of study leading to a Level 3 Business and Administration qualification. If you do not hold grade C/4 in GCSE Maths and or English you will be required to pass a functional skills equivalent as part of the apprenticeship. This qualification will take 18 months and on successful completion, annual salary will increase to £25,185.

  Applicants who have attended further education are welcome to apply to gain new skills or specialise in a different area. This is a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons! However, please note due to Department of Education funding rules for apprenticeships you are not eligible to apply for this apprenticeship role if you have a qualification at level 3 or above in Business Administration or a similar field. Any offer of employment may be withdrawn if it is found that your prior qualifications conflict with the apprenticeship framework.

An exciting opportunity have arisen in the Resourcing Team and The School and Academy Team for a HR Assistant Apprentice in the Human Resources, Organisation Development & Transformation (HROD&T) Service.

We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated team players to join the team to deliver a high-quality recruitment service to the organisation. The Service is a high‑paced environment, you will be prepared for a challenge and willingness to ensure the completion of tasks and deadlines are met. This role would be ideal for someone who is looking for a career in Human Resources. You will:

• contribute to the objectives of the HR Operations Service by assisting in the delivery of a high‑quality support service.
• be trained to represent the service effectively through communication with stakeholders and by participating under supervision in a range of activities in line with the Council’s priorities.
• after training, assist other team members in updating service information systems regularly to ensure all information is accurate and relevant; work effectively as part of the team to assist in the provision of a high‑quality service to support the delivery of services in the organisation.
• assist in dealing effectively, courteously, tactfully and diplomatically to all queries and correspondence both written and verbal from a variety of internal and external customers.
• develop an understanding of the Our Manchester principles and behaviours which are essential to our work.
• spend some of your time undertaking and completing a relevant apprenticeship qualification and will be provided with a solid grounding in the world of work and the chance to learn fundamental work‑related skills which will put you in good stead for the future.

For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Lauren Stevenson, at 0161 277 3329 and [e-mail] to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.

About the Candidate

The successful candidate will have strong IT skills in a range of Microsoft packages and the organisational skills to cope with a multi‑tasked workload. Applicants need to demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing and have a strong personal commitment to self‑development and the drive to deliver a quality service to customers.

This role is an advanced apprenticeship and as such, the successful applicant will be required to undertake a course of study leading to a Business Administration level 3 qualification. If you do not hold grade C/4 in GCSE Maths and/or English, you will be required to pass a functional skills equivalent as part of the apprenticeship. This qualification will take 18 months. We offer a permanent contract from day one (subject to a 6‑month probation) and on successful completion, annual salary will increase to £25,185.

We believe Apprenticeships are the future – join us to start building yours!

About Us

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester is not just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance – Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension – You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three‑times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave – Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your newborn or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks – Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow – We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member – We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognise three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave – Give back to the community with three days pro‑rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the “Accessibility tools” button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text‑to‑speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirement for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long‑term condition
• If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programme

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the Supporting Statement section of your application.

When You Join Us

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability‑friendly.

What we will need from you if you're successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

Pre‑Employment Checks

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre‑employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK.
• References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
• Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
• Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other relevant information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

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