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Payroll Apprentice

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About the Role
This is a great opportunity for someone looking to kickstart their career in payroll within a long-established thriving growing company. Due to the nature of the work applicants must be 18 or over. Note - there is no set start date at present, the listed date is not set, although as soon as possible.
Wage
£26,520 a year. Minimum wage rates opens in new tab.
Training Course
Payroll administrator (level 3).
Hours
You will work a 37.5-hour week on a Monday to Friday, 08.30-16.45 although flexitime is available. Office-based role initially but hybrid working of up to 2 days from home is available. 37 hours 30 minutes a week.
Start Date
Monday 26 October 2026.
Duration
1 year 6 months.
Positions Available
What You'll Do at Work
- Effective provision of payroll and pay-related functions, maintain accurate and timely HRIS updates and employee records, and ensure the efficient control, understanding, and application of relevant administrative, payroll legislation, company policies and procedures.
- Undertake and successfully complete the agreed Payroll Apprenticeship qualification, applying learning in the workplace and meeting all study, assessment and attendance requirements.
- Support the administration of payroll in accordance with all relevant legal requirements and company procedures, developing the knowledge and skills required to deliver a consistent and accurate payroll service to UK employees, including year-end payroll processes, auto-enrolment administration and associated payroll activities.
- Support the administration and maintenance of payroll, HRIS and time and attendance systems, ensuring employee information is entered accurately, maintained appropriately and kept up to date in accordance with company policies and procedures.
- Assist with the preparation and validation of payroll calculations, including statutory payments, deductions, pension contributions, salary sacrifice arrangements and other payroll adjustments, under the guidance of the payroll team.
- Develop an understanding of payroll legislation and compliance requirements, supporting the completion of statutory reporting and documentation in line with legislated deadlines, including PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments and pension auto-enrolment regulations.
- Process and communicate routine changes to pay and employee job details to relevant departments and managers and assist in producing payroll and HR reports to support payroll validation, auditing requirements and management decision-making.
- Learn and apply company pay-related policies and procedures, including company car administration, pension schemes, share schemes and bonus arrangements.
- Provide a first point of contact for routine payroll-related queries, delivering a professional and customer-focused service. Escalate complex issues requiring specialist advice as appropriate.
- Develop knowledge of Hexcel payroll, HRIS and time and attendance systems, supporting system testing, upgrades, implementations and process improvement activities where required.
- Identify opportunities to improve payroll and HR administrative processes and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the team.
- Administer pay-related records for temporary workers and contractors, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company procedures.
- Administer, issue and monitor employee Photo ID cards.
- Maintain confidentiality and handle employee information in accordance with data protection requirements, company policies and payroll best practice.
- Work closely with colleagues, managers, training providers and other stakeholders to support both operational objectives and successful completion of the apprenticeship programme.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Where You'll Work
Ickleton Road
Duxford
Cambridge
CB22 4QB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training Provider
SWARM TRAINING C.I.C.
Training Course
Payroll administrator (level 3).
Understanding Apprenticeship Levels
What You'll Learn
Course Contents:
- Gather, analyse and process payroll data and information
- Resolve different types of queries that may be presented from payroll customers such as employees, clients, management, explaining and documenting responses
- Deal with complaints, following processes and escalating complex situations
- Meet client or customer needs in line with service level agreements
- Provide customer service using agreed systems and processes, taking ownership for work applying agreed processes for checking
- Adhere to deadlines and process schedules both internal and statutory, mitigating the impact on the business, employees and clients of deadlines not being met by reprioritising tasks when dealing with conflicting or changing demands
- Select appropriate media for communication etc recognising the advantages and risks related to each method
- Escalate concerns relating to deadlines in a timely manner, suggesting solutions
- Use the appropriate communication media for each stakeholder for each situation. Examples may include ‘phone, face-to-face, email and letters, communicating and engaging professionally, accurately and appropriately, respecting the principles of data protection and confidentiality
- Build and maintain trust and sound relationships with stakeholders to deliver quality payroll services
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with team colleagues, supporting and collaborating to achieve results, seeking advice when appropriate within parameters of the role
- Use computerised payroll software and spreadsheet packages such as MS Excel
- Use systems and processes to support the payroll function. Examples may include the provision of accounting information and the Real Time Information submissions to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)


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Training Schedule:
Training will be with Swarm Training, a national apprenticeship provider in the UK. The successful candidate will work towards a Level 3 Payroll Administrator apprenticeship which takes 16-18 months to complete. The apprentice must complete a minimum of 6 hours per week during working hours, with monthly training sessions conducted by a tutor, with tasks assigned to be completed during those hours.
Essential Qualifications
- GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C)
- Maths (grade 4/C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Other Requirements
Driving license and car required due to location.
Company Information
Hexcel delivers advanced composite materials that help aerospace, defense, and industrial innovators build lighter, stronger, and smarter solutions.
https://www.hexcel.com/ [opens in new tab]
Company Benefits
- Free parking
- Canteen with funded and subsidised catering
- Incrementally funded Private medical option
- Salary sacrifice
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Share scheme after 6 months.
Salary
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay opens in new tab.
Contract Type
Initially a fixed contract and we anticipate a full-time role permanent after the apprenticeship depending on performance.
Contact Information
The contact for this apprenticeship is: SWARM TRAINING C.I.C.
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000055546.
Application Deadline
Closes in 14 days (Monday 12 October 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.
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