People Apprentice
West Dean College · Location to be confirmed
HR support (level 3)
West Dean College is a unique and creative organisation, bringing together education, arts, heritage, gardens and hospitality. The diverse workforce makes it an interesting and rewarding place to begin a career in HR. This is your chance to join them as a People Apprentice whilst studying for a HR Support Level 3 Apprenticeship qualification.
The work
What you will gain:
- Opportunity to work with a small, friendly and collaborative People Team, gaining hands-on experience across all areas of HR, rather thank being limited to one aspect.
- Experience in a culture which is supportive, inclusive and people-focused, which values teamwork, initiative and a willingness to learn where no two days are the same.
- Plenty of opportunities to learn, contribute and grow in confidence.
Key Responsibilities:
- General Administrative Support: Handle day-to-day administrative tasks, including responding to staff queries, preparing contracts, and maintaining HR information systems.
- Recruitment Support: Assist with recruitment processes, including job postings, reference checks, and onboarding of new employees.
- Employee Records Management: Maintain and update accurate employee records, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations (e.g. GDPR).
- Payroll Assistance: Support payroll processing by entering data and addressing payroll-related queries.
- People Team Policy & Compliance: Ensure adherence to People policies, monitor compliance (e.g., Right to Work checks, DBS checks), and assist with audits.
Who you will be:
- Someone who is friendly, approachable, enthusiastic and genuinely interested in developing a career in HR.
- Someone who enjoys working with people, has strong communication and interpersonal skills, and be comfortable supporting colleagues across a diverse organisation.
- Someone who understands and exercises discretion, professionalism and the ability to handle confidential information sensitively.
- Someone who is approachable, organised, adaptable and enthusiastic about working with people.
- Someone with a positive attitude, curiosity and motivation to succeed. No previous HR experience is necessary as a good work ethic, willingness to learn and a genuine desire to develop are far more important.
- Someone with a genuine interest in HR and supporting people.
- Someone with some experience in administration processes and office working.
What you come out with
Subject to successful completion of the apprenticeship, a permanent role may be considered. Further training and development opportunities may also be available, depending on business needs and individual performance.
What they are looking for
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Administrative skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Trustworthy
- IT Literate
- Discreet
- Approachable
- Professional
- Multi-tasker
- Priorities workload
Qualifications
- Essential · GCSE English 4
- Essential · GCSE Math 4
Things to consider
Things to Consider:
- This role is based at the West Dean Estate in West Dean, West Sussex, which is situated in the South Downs, 6 miles north of Chichester.
- Onsite parking available.
- Public Transport is available – closest bus stop is a short walk from the estate while trains go into Chichester and connect with bus services.
- This is an 18-month apprenticeship to include end point assessment.
- GCSE Math and English minimum grade 4 is essential for eligibility and A Levels would be an advantage.
- -Applicants MUST BE resident in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to the start of learning and have work authorisation for the UK.
- Applicants WILL NOT BE eligible to apply if they have already achieved a qualification which is equal to or higher thank the apprenticeship standard on offer.
- Applicants MUST BE resident in the area local to the apprenticeship opportunity or be prepared to relocate in time to start employment and study.
- Applicants MUST BE committed to the learning and stay to the end of the apprenticeship.
- This role will start immediately on recruitment with the college learning starting in February 2027.
- There are a range of benefits including 33 days' holiday (including bank holidays), a generous pension scheme, free on-site parking, access to our swimming pool, library and tennis courts, free entry to West Dean Gardens, and free or discounted places on our short courses.
The employer
The Edward James Foundation Ltd (trading as West Dean Estate) includes West Dean College and West Dean Gardens, is situated a few miles north of Chichester on the western South Downs. Our schools of arts, design and conservation offer a uniquely broad range of world-leading courses. At the heart of all we do, is our belief that 'making' makes our lives better. We celebrate the intrinsic value of work that has been hand-made by artists and artisans and challenge the assumption that mass-produced must be the only way because, across the world, the maker movement is growing. Our second campus is situated in London’s Bloomsbury.