Apprenticeships

People First Independent Advocacy – HR Officer Apprentice

Hourly Wage: £8
Qualification: Level 3 Human Resources Support
Duration: 21 Months

Position Overview

A brief overview of the role

Are you ready to kick-start a career in HR and make a real impact on people’s working lives? At People First, we’re looking for a motivated and enthusiastic HR Officer Apprentice to join our growing team. 

This is more than just an apprenticeship – it’s your opportunity to gain hands-on experience across all aspects of human resources, from recruitment and onboarding to employee relations and development. You’ll work alongside experienced professionals who are passionate about people, learning valuable skills that will set you up for a long-term career in HR. 

At People First, we put people at the heart of everything we do. We’re looking for someone who shares that mindset – someone who is organised, curious, and eager to learn. If you’re a great communicator, enjoy problem-solving, and want to be part of a supportive and forward-thinking organisation, this could be the perfect role for you. 

In return, we offer a structured development programme, real responsibility from day one, and a friendly team that will support you every step of the way. 

Start your journey with People First and help shape great employee experiences. 

Vacancy Location

Carlisle, CA2 5XB

Key responsibilities:

Administrative Support 

  • Updating employee records in HR systems 
  • Filing and organising personnel documents 
  • Preparing letters (e.g. contracts, offer letters, absence notices) 
  • Managing HR inbox emails and responding to basic queries 

Recruitment Support 

  • Posting job adverts on job boards and company websites 
  • Scheduling interviews and sending confirmations 
  • Preparing interview packs for hiring managers 

Data & Reporting 

  • Inputting employee data into spreadsheets or HR software 
  • Tracking attendance, absence, and holidays 
  • Assisting with basic HR reports (e.g. staff turnover, headcount) 

Employee Support 

  • Answering simple employee questions about policies or procedures 
  • Helping with onboarding tasks for new starters 
  • Supporting inductions (e.g. preparing materials, setting up rooms) 

Compliance & Policies 

  • Ensuring employee files are up to date and compliant 
  • Assisting with policy updates and distribution 
  • Following GDPR/data protection guidelines when handling information 

 General Office Tasks 

  • Booking meeting rooms for HR activities 
  • Taking notes during meetings 
  • Supporting HR projects or events (e.g. training sessions, wellbeing initiatives) 

Candidate Requirements:

Good written and verbal communication skills
Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
Ability to manage time and prioritise tasks effectively
Friendly, approachable, and professional
Positive attitude and enthusiasm for HR
Problem solving mindset and curiosity

Educational Requirements:

Maths & English at GCSE Grade 4 or Higher
Basic IT and data entry skills
Ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) confidently

Future Prospects

This position is initially available on a full-time, fixed-term contract. Upon successful completion of the Apprenticeship, there is the possibility of an ongoing position, which will be discussed at the appropriate time.

What Makes Us Different

We believe in offering more than just a learning experience- we provide a holistic journey designed to help you thrive

FAQs

If you are looking for more information regarding our apprenticeships, check out our FAQs and find the answers to your questions.

The apprenticeship is funded through government funds, with the amount depending on whether the employer is a levy or non-levy payer. Levy-paying employers contribute through the apprenticeship levy, while non-levy employers receive government funding to cover a portion of training costs. Employers also pay the apprentice\’s wages and may contribute to training costs.

Apprenticeships are available to people of all ages, with no upper age limit.

To be eligible for an apprenticeship in England, you typically need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 years before starting the apprenticeship. You must also be at least 16 years old and have a job or apprenticeship offer with an employer. Specific entry requirements may apply depending on the apprenticeship level. For more details, you can check the official GOV.UK website.

Still have questions?

If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is ready to provide the answers you’re looking for.

Testimonials

\”Riverside have been incredible in supporting my journey to complete three qualifications since 2019. With dedicated tutors guiding me every step of the way, I’ve grown from a Business Administration apprentice to an HR Consultant. All the tutors were so helpful and supportive—I couldn’t have asked for more!\”

HR Consultant - Cotswold BMW
Lauren

\”Throughout the Customer Service Specialist Level 3 apprenticeship, the support I received from my tutors was exceptional. They were patient, inspiring, and highly knowledgeable. The course has significantly boosted my confidence, both personally and professionally.\”

Senior Sales & Events Manager - Green Dragon
Katie

I am so pleased I chose Riverside Training to complete my level 7 Senior Leader apprenticeship, the teaching was extremely high quality, insightful and interesting. In addition the support from my tutor was fantastic, It made such a difference knowing support was there for me at any point.  

I learnt so much for this apprenticeship, it gave me the strategic knowledge I needed to develop in my role and it has helped me gain great organisational awareness. Thanks so much to the team at Riverside!

Vocational Development Manager - NHS
The team at Riverside genuinely takes the time to understand our business needs, tailoring apprenticeships to align with our values and the individual requirements of our apprentices. They offer fantastic support and guidance, which is playing a key role in our apprentices’ development within the organisation.
Head of Academy & Designated Safeguarding Lead at Aspens

Apprenticeships are a smart, practical option for CLdN to close skills gaps within the Port Industry.  By investing in development of our employees, it ensures we train in the right skills.

CLdN have worked with Riverside Training for several years, helping us build skilled teams through apprenticeships with their hands-on approach and the support they’ve shown our learners.  With supportive trainers, understanding our business needs, it’s enabled tailoring of the training, providing extra support to our learners.

Learning & Development Manager UK at CLDN