HR and recruitment apprenticeships

What types of HR apprenticeship are available?

Working in human resources means working closely with people and responding effectively to workplace challenges as they arise. If you're interested in entering the sector through an apprenticeship, here are some of the main routes available.

Level 2 recruitment resource

This entry-level apprenticeship introduces you to the recruitment industry, including its rules and ethics. You'll learn to:

• arrange interviews
• carry out checks
• maintain records
• source candidates
• write job adverts.

You'll earn a Level 2 Certificate in Recruitment Resourcing, preparing you for junior recruitment roles such as recruitment assistant, or talent sourcing coordinator.

Examples of apprenticeships at this level include:

• Hays Travel - a 12 month internal recruitment role supporting hiring across retail branches and head office, including job advertising, application processing, interview scheduling, and onboarding coordination.
• Randstad - a 12 to 15 month programme in the construction and property team, focusing on high-volume recruitment, candidate sourcing, screening, job advert creation, and customer relationship management (CRM).
• Transport for London - an 18 month apprenticeship with rotational placements across early careers and executive recruitment teams, giving experience in workforce planning, diversity recruitment, and assessment centre coordination.

Level 3 HR support

Equivalent to A-levels, this 15 to 24 month apprenticeship is ideal if you're new to HR. You'll handle core tasks such as:

• record keeping
• using HR systems
• supporting recruitment.

You'll also earn a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Level 3 Foundation Certificate plus Associate CIPD membership, allowing you to move into roles such as HR administrator or HR coordinator.

For example:

• BBC - an 18 month programme with placements in specialist HR teams such as HR Operations or Performance & Leadership. You'll gain experience in strategic HR initiatives like organisational capability while contributing to HR systems and employee support.
• House of Commons - a 15 to 18 month apprenticeship in the Members' HR Advice Service, supporting MPs as employers. You'll focus on interpreting HR policy, providing advisory support, and managing employment documentation.
• John Lewis Partnership - a 24 month programme with opportunities to rotate or shadow across personnel teams. You'll work on HR projects such as employee engagement, with an emphasis on internal mobility and career progression.
• University College London (UCL) - an 18 month programme offering placements in either central HR teams or faculty-based units, providing experience in academic HR practices, including recruitment, policy, and wellbeing initiatives.

Level 3 recruiter

This 18 month apprenticeship trains you to manage the full recruitment process. You'll gain a Level 3 Certificate in Recruitment Practice and often Associate Membership of the Institute of Recruitment Professionals (IRP).

Completion prepares you for roles such as recruitment consultant or talent acquisition executive.

Popular apprenticeships at this level include:

• DHL - an 18 month recruitment advisor apprenticeship within DHL eCommerce's resourcing team. You'll focus on administrative coordination of recruitment, onboarding, and assessment centres.
• Bank of America - a 36 month talent apprenticeship in the Chief People Office supporting global recruitment. You'll work across end-to-end hiring processes, enhance candidate experience, and contribute to recruitment projects, while earning a CIPD Foundation Certificate.
• Regatta - an 18 month in-house recruitment apprenticeship supporting store and head office hiring. You'll work on employer branding, candidate experience, social media content, and assessment centre coordination.

Level 5 HR consultant/people professional

Equivalent to a foundation degree, this two to three year apprenticeship is aimed at those with HR experience or leadership responsibilities. You'll develop skills in:

• HR strategy
• recruitment
• reward management
• talent development.

Completion prepares you for roles such as human resources officer or training and development officer, and you'll earn a CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma.

For example:

• Amazon - a 24 month HR consultant programme focused on workforce planning, absence management, and HR metrics reporting. You'll gain experience in employee relations casework, including investigations and disciplinary processes.
• EDF Energy - a 20 to 24 month people professional role supporting HR data analysis to inform decision-making and operational efficiency. You'll work in a unionised, safety-critical environment with a strong compliance culture.
• Lloyds Banking Group - a 24 month apprenticeship offering a permanent role from day one in areas such as reward, talent, learning, or organisational change.
• NHS - a 24 month HR consultant programme contributing to reward, recognition, and performance management frameworks. You'll gain exposure to HR systems and process improvement in a large public sector organisation.

Level 6 talent acquisition

There isn't currently a dedicated Level 6 apprenticeship solely for recruitment or talent acquisition. Instead, employers use broader degree apprenticeships - such as the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship - and tailor them to talent acquisition roles.

These three to four year programmes combine full-time work with part-time study, leading to a Bachelors degree. They prepare you for strategic roles such as management consultant or HR business partner.

Examples of programmes include:

• Vodafone- a three year programme rotating through HR teams such as recruitment and HR consulting, combining workplace experience with a BA in Management (HR focus) and a CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership.
• Barclays (HR stream) - a three year programme within their HR function, specialising in recruitment and talent acquisition. Apprentices support sourcing and hiring graduate talent across the bank.
• L'Oréal - a three year apprenticeship focused on talent acquisition and development, supporting recruitment for retail and corporate roles while studying for a BA in Chartered Management at the University of West London.

What do HR apprenticeships involve?

At any level, HR apprenticeships combine paid, workplace-based learning with off-the-job study. You'll build practical experience in a real HR team and complete an end-point assessment (EPA) to demonstrate your knowledge, skills and behaviours.

What you do day to day depends on the employer and level:

• At L'Oréal, you might source and interview candidates, manage recruitment campaigns and talent pipelines, and support employer branding and diversity initiatives.
• At Amazon, apprentices handle employee administration like attendance management, produce data reports for senior leaders, and support onboarding.
• In the NHS, Level 3 apprentices provide policy-based advice on HR issues, while Level 5 apprentices contribute to business strategy through recruitment, talent development, reward, and HR systems management.

Overall, you'll take on real responsibility from the start - supporting managers and employees while developing the skills to progress in HR.

Explore our guide to apprenticeships for more details.

How much will I be paid?

Your salary will vary depending on:

• the HR specialism you choose
• the level of your apprenticeship
• the location.

As an apprentice, you're entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW), currently £8.00 per hour (from April 2026) for under-19s and those 19 or over in their first year. After your first year, you must be paid at least the NMW for your age. You can check this using the GOV.UK wage calculator.

You'll be paid for both your working hours and any off-the-job training. You're also entitled to at least 20 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.

Some employers offer higher salaries. For example, the Civil Service apprenticeship pays around £35,600 per year, giving experience in areas like HR policy, reward and benefits, and strategic HR projects while studying off-the-job.

Some sectors - particularly in banking and technology - offer even more competitive salaries for HR apprentices. For example, a Level 5 HR graduate scheme at Lloyd's Banking Group pays around £26,500, while Level 6 apprenticeships at Vodafone and Barclays offer between £24,640 to £27,000 and around £25,000 respectively.

Apprenticeships also cover your tuition costs, so you won't pay for training.

Discover the best paying apprenticeship sectors.

Where can I find HR apprenticeships?

You can find HR apprenticeships through several routes. Start with the GOV.UK - Find an apprenticeship service, which lists vacancies across the UK.

It's also worth checking the careers pages of companies you're interested in, as many advertise apprenticeships directly.

If you're open to gaining HR experience within a broader business role, look for apprenticeships that include HR rotations in other sectors. For example, some large organisations offer business apprenticeships where you can spend time in their HR or people teams.

Industry directories and professional networks, such as the CIPD's networks or LinkedIn, can also help you identify companies offering HR apprenticeship opportunities near you.

Some HR apprenticeships are advertised year-round, but many have deadlines, so apply early to maximise your chances.

How do I apply for an HR apprenticeship?

Treat your apprenticeship application as if you were applying for a job. Create a strong CV that highlights your skills, experience, and relevant qualifications, and tailor it to each role.

Pair it with a cover letter explaining why you're a strong candidate and outlining your career aspirations. It's also essential to have a motivated attitude, an approachable personality, and a good grasp of workplace policies and culture. You can show your genuine interest in HR by:

• keeping up to date with HR trends and legislation
• researching the company
• referencing resources like the CIPD's Views and Insights.

Discover how to apply for an apprenticeship.

Include examples that demonstrate the skills outlined in the job description. Being able to clearly market your skills will give you an advantage if you're invited to an interview, assessment centre, or asked to complete psychometric tests. In these settings, you'll need to draw on past experiences to show how you'd perform in the workplace.

If you have relevant experience - such as project work, volunteering, or HR work shadowing - use it to illustrate your abilities. Prepare for interviews by practicing common interview questions and confidently explaining your motivation, skills, and career goals. Examples of questions you may be asked include:

• Describe a situation where you had to maintain confidentiality.
• How would you handle a conflict between two colleagues?
• What interests you about this apprenticeship and our company?
• Why do you want to work in HR?

Explore our interview tips.

Will I have a job at the end of my HR apprenticeship?

Many employers view HR apprenticeships as a way to develop and retain new talent. For example, Lloyds Banking Group offers apprentices a permanent role from the start of their Level 5 People Professional programme.

Meanwhile, Transport for London highlights clear progression routes for apprentices, who may continue working in the Early Careers team, or progress into a recruitment consultant role hiring permanent staff. From there, you could advance further into positions such as recruitment manager or senior executive consultant.

You may also choose to continue your professional development by progressing to a higher-level apprenticeship - such as moving from Level 3 HR support to Level 5 people professional - or by undertaking vocational qualifications like a CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 Diploma to deepen your expertise and expand your career opportunities.

Engaging fully, showing enthusiasm, and demonstrating the competencies expected of HR professionals will not only help you succeed during your apprenticeship but also make you a strong candidate for permanent HR roles once your programme ends.

Explore our guidance on getting a job.

Find out more

• Explore the range of available human resources jobs.
• If you're already at university, learn more about HR graduate schemes.
• Search graduate jobs in recruitment and HR.