HR Apprentice

Heart of Worcestershire College; Redditch; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

CPD opportunities

Flexible working options

Discounts on high-street & travel

Career progression

Mentor support

Cycle to Work

Free onsite parking

Community & charity projects

Job summary

Heart of Worcestershire College invites applications for a HR Apprentice based at the Redditch campus, with flexibility to travel. The role accompanies a 37-hour week and an annual salary of £15,433, rising within the apprenticeship scheme.

You will support recruitment, onboarding, HR records, and staff development in a supportive environment. Join a diverse, inclusive college recognised for excellence and employee development, with DBS checks and safeguarding requirements addressed as part of

Responsibilities

• Assist in drafting job descriptions for various College roles.
• Prepare offer letters and employment contracts.
• Create internal communications using Mailchimp to promote well‑being awareness days.
• Support CPD Co-ordinator with staff training enrolments and records.
• Support the HR Co-ordinator with the onboarding process for new starters including requesting and tracking references, right to work documents, and DBS certificates.
• Providing admin support in the recruitment of staff. This involves sending out interview invites, booking rooms, confirming attendance and ensuring they are distributed appropriately to the recruiting manager.
• To set up and maintain filing systems both manual and computer based as required.
• To assist in the maintenance and updating of the Human Resources database as required.
• To have a ‘can-do’, positive, customer focused approach to all tasks.
• To deal with incoming communications (e.g. telephone, email) as appropriate.
• To assist in the provision and administration of HR events, projects and initiatives as required.
• To carry out other administrative duties as required
• To participate in training to successfully complete the apprenticeship programme
• To undertake a range of tasks suited to the current level of training and development
• To understand and complete all work-related documentation accurately and in a timely manner
• To understand and comply with Heart of Worcestershire College policies and procedures

Job description

Job Title HR Apprentice Closing Date 17/11/2026 23:59 Pay £15,433 per annum, based on 37 hours x 52 weeks. Hours 37 hours x 52 weeks Type Full Time

Join us as a HR Apprentice at Heart of Worcestershire College

We are looking for someone who’s ambitious, driven, and has attention to detail to join our Human Resources team.

This is your chance to grow your skills, explore new opportunities, and take on exciting challenges in a vibrant, forward‑thinking environment.

Heart of Worcestershire College is recognised for nurturing the brilliance of every student and we are proud to be a college that celebrates diversity and inclusion. Our latest Ofsted report highlights our continued commitment to delivering high-quality education, outstanding support for learners and meaningful partnerships with employers and the wider community. HoW college has also been recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026 reflecting our commitment to building a positive workplace culture where colleagues feel valued, supported and able to thrive.

You’ll be mainly based at our Redditch campus, but flexibility to travel across sites is essential.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

For the full breakdown, check out the Key Roles and Accountabilities in the Job Description.
You will support in many aspects, to name a few:

• Support the recruitment process by preparing job adverts, coordinating interviews, and producing offer letters and employment contracts.
• Assist with onboarding new starters, including tracking references, right to work checks, DBS documentation, and maintaining accurate HR records.
• Provide administrative support across the HR function, managing communications, filing systems, databases, and responding to enquiries.
• Support staff development and engagement activities, including training administration, wellbeing initiatives, and HR projects and events.
• Develop professional HR knowledge through an apprenticeship programme while delivering a positive, customer-focused service and ensuring compliance with college policies and procedures.
  

WHO WE ARE

Heart of Worcestershire College is the county’s largest and most diverse FE provider, offering academic, vocational, and community courses across multiple campuses. In 2026 the college achieved a strong standard or expected standard across all areas from Ofsted. We are also delighted to be recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026. This accolade reflects the culture we have worked hard to build across the College.

Our values — diversity, integrity, partnership and trust — power everything we do and shape the experience we give our learners. We’re also on a mission to be 90% green by 2030 — and we’d love you to be part of that journey.

If you’re ready to innovate, inspire and progress, you’ll feel right at home here.

Your growth is our growth.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE WORKING HERE

A career at HoW offers much more than a monthly pay slip. We invest in our people and make sure they feel supported, valued, and ready to shine.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

• 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme
• Regular CPD and opportunities to gain new qualifications
• Agile and flexible working options (role dependent)
• A great benefits package with high‑street and travel discounts
• Clear progression routes
• A mentor to help you settle in and succeed
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Free onsite parking (at selected campuses)
• Opportunities to give back through community and charity projects

WE HIRE PEOPLE.

We value individuality. Everyone at HoW brings their own story, background, identity and strengths — and together, we’re stronger for it.

We’re committed to being an inclusive and supportive employer and expect all colleagues to share our dedication to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

NEED TO KNOW

All successful candidates will need to complete and pay for a DBS check, plus required online verification checks.

Please note: HoW College reserves the right to extend the advertising period for this vacancy or close the vacancy early in line with volume of applicants. We would therefore advise interested candidates to apply promptly.

Closing date: 17 th November 2026
Interview date: TBC

If you are viewing this advert on Indeed, Total Jobs or another job board, it is worth noting there is more information about the position on the Heart of Worcestershire website, this will include the role profile.

To complete a course of study on a CIPD (Charted Institute of Personnel and Development) framework and obtain work related qualifications as required through work experience, studying, training and development.

KEY ROLES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Assist in drafting job descriptions for various College roles.
• Prepare offer letters and employment contracts.
• Create internal communications using Mailchimp to promote well‑being awareness days.
• Support CPD Co-ordinator with staff training enrolments and records.
• Support the HR Co-ordinator with the onboarding process for new starters including requesting and tracking references, right to work documents, and DBS certificates.
• Providing admin support in the recruitment of staff. This involves sending out interview invites, booking rooms, confirming attendance and ensuring they are distributed appropriately to the recruiting manager.
• To set up and maintain filing systems both manual and computer based as required.
• To assist in the maintenance and updating of the Human Resources database as required.
• To have a ‘can-do’, positive, customer focused approach to all tasks.
• To deal with incoming communications (e.g. telephone, email) as appropriate.
• To assist in the provision and administration of HR events, projects and initiatives as required.
• To carry out other administrative duties as required
• To participate in training to successfully complete the apprenticeship programme
• To undertake a range of tasks suited to the current level of training and development
• To understand and complete all work-related documentation accurately and in a timely manner
• To understand and comply with Heart of Worcestershire College policies and procedures

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• To commit to the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults
• To participate in the College’s Performance Management Scheme and attend such training events as are necessary to enable him/her to carry out the duties of the job description.
• To continually improve teaching, learning and assessment through proactive CPD and sharing best practice.
• To actively participate in the College’s Quality System, including quality improvement strategies and initiatives.
• To undertake such other duties as may be assigned commensurate with the grade and purpose of the post.
• To take reasonable care for the health and safety of him/her and for others affected by his/her work.
• To actively support College Safeguarding, Equality and Diversity policies.
• To operate/conduct all HR tasks and functions within the principles of GDPR.

This Job Description is current at the date shown below and is a guide to the work you will be required to undertake. In consultation with the post holder, it may be changed from time to time by the College to meet changing circumstances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

The appointment is subject to the Conditions of Service for Business Support Staff.

All successful applicants will undergo the following checks:

• Enhanced DBS
• 2 x References, one of which must be your current or most recent employer

SALARY

The salary range for this post is from £15,433 to £20,932 per annum. Salary will be determined based on your age and the stage of your apprenticeship programme. Once you have successfully passed your probationary period, your salary will increase within the salary band on an annual incremental basis, until you reach the top of the salary scale.

HOURS OF WORK

The hours of work will be based on 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per annum.This is to include your apprenticeship college course attendance.

ANNUAL LEAVE

The post carries 25 annual leave days, plus eight public bank holidays plus a further five concessionary days as ‘leave to be taken at the Principal’s discretion’.

After 2 years continuous service, your annual leave entitlement will increase to 30 days per annum.

Please note that only inexceptionalcircumstances, with your Directors permission, will staff be able to take more than 3 consecutive weeks of leave in any leave year.

PENSION SCHEME

The College operates an occupational pension scheme, namely the ‘Local Government Pension Scheme’.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

All newly appointed staff must serve a 4-month probationary period. During the probationary period you will have to complete the Corporate staff induction, a Teaching and Learning Induction session if you deliver learning and additional mandatory courses on: Equality & Diversity session, Keeping Children safe in Education, Safeguarding Training session, Prevent, GDPR, Cyber Securityand Health & Safety training session. Failure to complete these will prevent you from successfully completing your probation.

FIRST AID & FIRE MARSHALL

As defined in the person specification of the job description, those staff with these responsibilities are required to undertake first aid and or fire marshal duties across the College, when called upon to do so. Staff must ensure they are up to date with the relevant training.

REFERENCES

All candidates have to have 2 satisfactory references.

LOCATION

The successful applicant will be based in Redditch but may be required to work at other locations from time to time.

VALIDATION OF QUALIFICATIONS

The College will undertake qualification validation by writing to the appropriate educational institute. Only those qualifications which are essential for the post will be followed up.

CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENT TO OBTAIN A QUALIFICATION

If you are required toobtain a qualification as a contractual requirement, the College reviews its CPD budget on an annual basis regarding availability of funds, and cannot therefore guarantee that newly appointed staff will receive either part or full funding for the course fees. However, student loan facilities are available.

MATHS AND ENGLISH

All staff are required to have a minimum level 2 qualification in both English and Math's. If you are not already in receipt of one or both of these qualifications, you will be expected to obtain it (them) during your employment at the College.

SAFEGUARDING

The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All newly appointed staff will be required to undertake safeguarding training during their probationary period.

Heart of Worcestershire College adheres to the Department of Education’s guidance on ‘Keeping children safe in Education’. As part of your induction, you will be required to read and understand part 1 of this document.

ONLINE CHECKS

Candidates shortlisted for interview and then subsequently become successful in the recruitment process and prior to a formal offer of employment being made will be subject to online checks being carried out by a neutral party not directly involved in the recruitment process.Consent for these checks was requested at application stage.

DISCLOSURE & BARRING CHECK

All successful applicants will be required to complete and pay for a Disclosure & Barring Service check. The costs of this check will be deducted from the applicants first salary payment from the College. The College adheres to the DBS Code of Practice and has policies covering the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders and the Secure Storage, Handling, Use, Retention and Disposal of Disclosures and Disclosure Information. Copies of these are available on request.

RECRUITMENT OF EX-OFFENDERS

The College is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff or users of its services, regardless of race, gender religion, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependents, age, physical/mental disability or offending background.

As an organisation we use the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) to assess the suitability of all prospective appointments. We undertake not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.

Applicants/employees are required to declare any pending criminal prosecutions they may have as well as any spent criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings as defined under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. The only exception to this requirement is that applicants/employees do not need to disclose any ‘protected’ cautions, or convictions as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2013.

Please read the ‘Guidance Note to applicants on disclosing information about cautions and convictions in their application’ document before you complete your application form.

Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of any offences.

TRAINING

All successful applicants will be required to undertake all mandatory training and update sessions and any appropriate training and development as required, including Health and Safety.

SMOKING POLICY

HoW College is a Smoke Free environment from the effects of direct/indirect contact with smoking, including using the following:

• Cigars
• And all other associated smoking products

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Candidates with a disability should contact the HR Department before interview if they require any adjustments to be made for the interview and/or selection tests.

APPLICATIONS

A completed application form should be submitted. Curriculum vitae will not be accepted as a substitute.

It would greatly assist the shortlisting panel if the information submitted on your application clearly identifies and demonstrates how your qualities match those listed under the essential requirements on the person specification.

Please remember that it is not sufficient to merely repeat what is in the specification – you must show how you meet each requirement. You must also provide details under ‘previous employment’ which must include all employment undertaken since leaving full time education.

Completed application forms should be submitted by 17th November 2026 via our website at www.howcollege.ac.uk

INTERVIEWS

The Interview date for this post is TBC; short-listed candidates will be notified with the details for interview. In view of the high cost of postage, it is not our intention to notify unsuccessful applicants. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful and accept our thanks for your interest in applying.College reserves the right to withdraw a position before the closing date if the appointment has beenarranged or no longer required.

DATA PROTECTION/GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (GDPR)

Please be aware that HoW College complies with the current Data Protection Act and is currently developing systems to ensure that we will be fully compliant with GDPR when this comes into force in May 2018. GDPR is a European wide update to the Data Protection Act, with more requirements and stronger enforcement. As such we expect all staff to fully comply with the requirements of these legislation. Failure to do so will lead to formal disciplinary action.

Members of staff will be provided with guidance in relation to GDPR to ensure that full compliance is achieved and maintained within the College.

Further information can be obtained by using the following link: