Human Resources Business Partner Apprenticeship

Programme title: Human Resources Business Partner Apprenticeship

Level: 5

Salary: Starting at £24,249, with annual salary increases throughout the apprenticeship programme

Location: Devonport, Plymouth

Application closing date: 10th November 2026

Programme start date: February/March 2027

Role ID: 75470

Launch your HR career through our two-year Human Resources Business Partner Apprenticeship. You'll complete the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management while gaining practical experience, coaching and exposure to strategic HR projects. By the end of the programme, you'll have built a strong foundation for a successful career in HR.

About the programme

This apprenticeship offers the opportunity to gain experience across a broad range of people management and organisational activities while working towards a recognised professional qualification. You'll support a variety of HR activities, from analysing people data and preparing reports to advising on policies, supporting recruitment and onboarding, and contributing to employee engagement initiatives.

Throughout the programme, you'll work closely with HR professionals and stakeholders across the business, gaining insight into both operational and strategic HR. You'll contribute to projects such as workforce planning, organisational change, diversity and inclusion, talent and succession planning, wellbeing initiatives and process improvement activities. As your experience grows, you'll develop a strong understanding of how effective people practices support organisational performance and business success.

The programme is designed to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of a modern HR professional, including employment law, employee relations, business strategy, organisational development, talent management and evidence-based practice. You'll also build key professional skills such as stakeholder management, communication, influencing, coaching, data analysis, problem-solving and project delivery, while demonstrating behaviours including professionalism, ethical practice, collaboration, adaptability, inclusivity and continuous learning. Together, these experiences will provide a strong foundation for progression towards future HR Business Partner roles.

Your education/training

The apprenticeship is delivered through Avado Learning and leads to the Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management (CIPD) alongside completion of the People Professional apprenticeship standard.

Training includes:

• Online learning through Avado's virtual learning platform
• A blend of self-directed study, live workshops and coaching sessions
• Dedicated study time during working hours through a day-release learning model
• Time each week for structured learning and development activities, including workshops, project work, shadowing opportunities, networking and practical HR experiences that support your professional growth

You'll complete the CIPD Level 5 qualification during the first 10 months of the programme. The remainder of the apprenticeship focuses on applying your learning in practice, broadening your business partnering experience and continuing your professional development.

Regular progress reviews will be held with you, your line manager and your Avado coach to support your development and help you get the most from the programme.

Future prospects 

Upon successful completion of the HR Business Partner Apprenticeship and CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management, you will have developed the skills, knowledge and experience required to progress into a HR Advisor role within the HRBP Operations team, with an expected salary of over £28,000 and placement at Global Grade 9.

A tailored development plan will then be implemented to further strengthen your business partnering skills, commercial awareness and broader business acumen, providing the support and experience needed to progress into a Junior HR Business Partner role.

From there, your development doesn't stop. You'll have access to a range of career pathways across the HR profession, with opportunities to progress into a HR Business Partner role and beyond. Ongoing learning, development and practical experience will continue to support your career growth, enabling you to build expertise across multiple areas of HR and develop a rewarding long-term career within the profession.

What you’ll need 

• You'll need at least 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above including English, Maths and Science/Technology and 3 A levels at grade C or above.
• Many of our programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) security clearance. For further details, visit GOV.UK and search ‘United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels’.     

What you’ll get

We’ll provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career.

In addition, you’ll benefit from:

• Fully funded qualification
• Personal development training and opportunities
• Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
• Competitive pension scheme
• Employee share scheme
• Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme and employee shopping savings portal

You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.

Your career development

It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career.

Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.

Application process and important information

Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and if there’s a high level of interest in this programme, we may close applications earlier than advertised. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.

Please apply to one programme only. If we receive more than one application from you, we’ll assess the first one submitted. If your chosen programme becomes oversubscribed, we may contact you to discuss other programmes you could be eligible for.

We're a Disability Confident Employer. If you require additional support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply. Our team will contact you after receiving your application to discuss your requirements and the support available.

We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.