Programme Overview

The Level 3 HR Support apprenticeship develops confident HR professionals who provide frontline advice, guidance and administrative support across the full employee lifecycle — from recruitment through onboarding, performance, well-being, employee relations, benefits, and retirement.

Apprentices learn how to manage day-to-day HR queries, maintain accurate records, support HR processes, apply legislation, and provide compliant advice that protects the organisation from legal and employment risks. HR Support roles exist across organisations of every size and sector, making this a flexible, highly employable qualification.

This programme builds the essential skills required for progressing into HR Advisor, HR Officer or HR Partner roles.

Who This Programme Is For

• HR Assistants, HR Administrators or HR Coordinators
• Individuals providing frontline HR support to managers and employees
• Small business HR Managers functioning as a one-person HR team
• Organisations wanting to strengthen their HR capability and compliance
• Individuals looking to start a career in human resources

What Apprentices Will Learn

Business Understanding

• The organisation’s structure, products, services and values
• How HR supports the organisation’s goals
• Understanding the external market and industry HR trends

HR Legislation & Policy

• Key HR laws affecting recruitment, employment, equality, leave, conduct, data and termination
• Understanding the HR policy framework and how to apply it correctly
• Knowing when and how to seek specialist or legal advice

HR Function & Role

• Core purpose of HR within an organisation
• HR priorities, service levels and operational processes
• How HR interacts with managers, employees and external partners

HR Systems & Processes

• Using HR information systems (HRIS) and databases
• Recording and maintaining accurate employee data
• Producing reports, dashboards and management information

Key Skills Developed

Service Delivery

• Providing accurate HR advice to managers and employees
• Handling queries professionally across recruitment, onboarding, pay, absence, conduct, and leavers
• Meeting HR KPIs and managing workload independently

Problem Solving

• Using questioning and active listening to understand issues
• Identifying root causes and escalating where appropriate
• Taking ownership of cases through to resolution

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Communicating clearly via email, phone, meetings and written documents
• Building trust with stakeholders
• Managing sensitive and confidential situations professionally
• Handling conflict with diplomacy

Teamwork & Collaboration

• Supporting HR colleagues and contributing to team goals
• Working across departments and supporting people managers

Process Improvement

• Identifying opportunities for HR service improvements
• Supporting the delivery of HR change projects

Managing HR Information

• Maintaining accurate HR records
• Producing reports and interpreting HR data for decision making

Personal Development

• Keeping up to date with HR policy, law and organisational change
• Seeking feedback and improving performance

Professional Behaviours

• Honesty & Integrity:Confidentiality, ethical practice, reliability
• Flexibility:Adapting to priorities and changing business needs
• Resilience:Staying positive under pressure and managing setbacks
• Professional Conduct:Representing HR and the organisation effectively
• Initiative:Taking ownership and solving problems
• Inclusion:Treating others with respect and fairness

End-Point Assessment (EPA)

Gateway Requirements:

• English & Maths achieved to required levels
• Completed portfolio of evidence
• Employer confirmation of readiness

EPA Components:

1. Consultative Project

• Apprentice completes a written HR project proposal
• Demonstrates application of HR knowledge and problem solving
  2. Professional Discussion Underpinned by Portfolio
• 60-minute structured discussion
• Portfolio used to support answers

Grading:

• Fail
• Pass
• Distinction