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HR Apprentice - University of Oxford - Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences
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An exciting opportunity to join the University of Oxford as a Human Resources Apprentice in the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, with a track record of providing a comprehensive level of development to Apprentices and supporting them to achieve their goals. You'll have opportunity to develop full knowledge of the HR lifecycle.
Wage: £26,686 a year. All new entrant apprentices at the University of Oxford start at apprentice salary scale 1A. This is a two-year employment contract in total.
Training course: HR support (level 3)
Hours: Monday-Friday, office hours. Hybrid working may be available after an initial period and in consultation with your line manager. 36 hours 30 minutes a week
Start date: Thursday 1 October 2026
Duration: 1 year 7 months
Positions available: 1
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
You will be passionate about starting your career in Human Resources and excited about the opportunity of becoming an apprentice at the University of Oxford. You may be starting your career or you may be looking for a career change.
You will be provided with the opportunity to develop full knowledge of the HR lifecycle, from planning recruitment and on-boarding new staff, to the end of fixed-term contracts and retirement planning. You will work to support the HR team with induction and payroll, reward and recognition, employee relations, and engagement. You will regularly interact with all members of the department and will learn to provide advice on university procedures and policies covering a range of issues such as employee welfare, maternity/paternity and absence management. You will provide a professional, high-quality customer-focused service.
Responsibilities:
- The HR Apprentice will be fully trained to provide essential support to the NDCN HR team
- Act as first point of contact for enquiries from employees, line managers and the general public by telephone, email and face to face, answering straightforward questions or redirecting as appropriate
- Learn how to manage the HR inbox where required, dealing with appropriate queries or directing emails to the relevant HR contact.
- Learn how to use the University’s HR system, PeopleXD, to enter confidential, personal data, and assist with data entry into internal databases and spreadsheets
- Accurately maintain all confidential electronic and paper-based personnel files
- With support, prepare a wide range of written communications including; contracts, letters and wider communications. This could include drafting and updating information on the HR pages of the website, and helping to prepare training material. Edit job advertisements and job descriptions to ensure that they comply with University guidance and best practice
- Learn about recruitment processes, assisting with the administration of recruitment exercises which will include; placing advertisements, generating letters to applicants and preparing short listing packs
- Assist with maintaining personnel files, ensuring accurate records are kept, that they are complete and up-to-date, and support our project to move our physical files to electronic
- Develop skills and understanding that contribute to the development and continuous improvement of HR activities
- Assist in preparing HR metrics and various reports for the termly Committees and monthly meetings
- Assist with the delivery of projects across the HR team; working with different team members on a varied array of projects, liaising with colleagues across the department to gather information and support successful delivery
- Book meeting rooms and make administrative arrangements in support of HR team activities
- Learn how to manage the recording and tracking of sickness absence and annual leave using PeopleXD or similar HR system. Act as first point of contact for associated queries
- Gather information for visa applications where necessary
- Assist with the compilation of data for HESA returns, HR Data returns and run ad hoc reports from the HR database when required
- Learn how to monitor end of probationary periods and visa expiry dates and highlight any issues to the Senior HR Advisor
- To develop and maintain the NDCN academic visitor database
- Run monthly Staff in post and other PeopleXD Reports. Manage HR data quality
- Undertake other duties in the department from time to time as determined commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of this post, and any other reasonable request
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Where you'll work
Department of Clinical Neurosciences
John Radcliffe Hospital
Headley Way
Oxford
OX3 9DU
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
Training course
HR support (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Service Delivery: Delivers excellent customer service on a range of HR queries and requirements, providing solutions, advice and support primarily to managers. Builds managers’ expertise in HR matters, improving their ability to handle repeated situations themselves where appropriate. Uses agreed systems and processes to deliver service to customers. Takes the initiative to meet agreed individual and team KPIs in line with company policy, values, standards. Plans and organises their work, often without direct supervision, to meet commitments and KPIs.
- Problem Solving: Uses sound questioning and active listening skills to understand requirements and establish root causes before developing HR solutions. Takes ownership through to resolution, escalating complex situations as appropriate.
- Communication & Interpersonal: Deals effectively with customers/colleagues, using sound interpersonal skills and communicating well through a range of media eg phone, face to face, email, internet. Adapts their style to their audience. Builds trust and sound relationships with customers. Handles conflict and sensitive HR situations professionally and confidentially.
- Teamwork: Consistently supports colleagues /collaborates within the team and HR to achieve results. Builds/maintains strong working relationships with others in the team and across HR where necessary.
- Process Improvement: Identifies opportunities to improve HR performance and service; acts on them within the authority of their role. Supports implementation of HR changes/projects with the business.
- Managing HR Information: Maintains required HR records as part of services delivered. Prepares reports and management information from HR data, with interpretation as required.
- Personal Development: Keeps up to date with business changes and HR legal/policy/process changes relevant to their role. Seeks feedback and acts on it to improve their performance and overall capability.
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Training schedule
- Duration: 13 months practical training period, plus 6 months for End Point Assessment
- Delivery model: Work-based training with your employer, Day release during term time (approximately 1 day a week for 1 year), Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English (7 days at college for each, if required)
- Qualifications included: CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice, Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship
- End Point Assessment: Consultative project, Professional discussion
More training information
College training for the L3 CIPD Foundation Certificate in People Practice is 1 day per week during term-time. You can choose to study at either Witney or Abingdon campus.
Essential qualifications
- GCSE in: Maths and English Language (grade A*-C/9-4 or equivalent)
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Administrative skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- MS Excel, Outlook and Word
- Discretion / confidentiality
- Able to manage workload
- Accuracy
- Proactive
- Willingness
- Interest in HR career
Other requirements
BEFORE APPLYING FOR THIS ROLE, PLEASE VISIT THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD JOBS PAGE AND READ THE FULL ADVERT AND ACCOMPANYING JOB DESCRIPTION AS THIS PROVIDES DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE ROLE - JOB REFERENCE 187783
You will be passionate about starting your HR career and excited about the opportunity about becoming an apprentice at the University of Oxford. You may be starting your career or you may be looking for a career change.
Please note that the Training Provider is required to assess your current ability in Maths and English as part of the application process, even if you already have your English and maths qualifications.
In applying for this role, you are giving Abingdon and Witney College the permission to access your Learner Record and to contact you in order to carry out required pre-screening checks.
Any new person applying for apprenticeship roles where Abingdon and Witney College deliver the training will be required to complete a series of initial assessments and eligibility checks prior to start. As a new Apprenticeship applicant, you will only have to undergo this process once. If you would like to talk to us about the assessments, please call us on 01235 216216.
We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible.
About this employer
We are the largest employer in Oxfordshire with around 17,000 staff working in and around Oxford in a huge range of roles. Our apprentices are never on their own and will benefit from a supportive environment working in collaboration with the rest of our committed team. You will also be supported by the central apprenticeship team and you will join our growing network of apprentices within the university. You will have the opportunity to become an apprenticeship ambassador for the University and region. We will provide you with a welcoming and inclusive workplace, offering support and development opportunities that will enable you to progress and do your best work. We recognise diversity as our strength, vital for innovation
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