Over 17 months, this apprenticeship programme equips People Professionals with the ability to adopt a theory-driven and evidence-based methodology in HR practices, emphasising practical application across various organisational settings and sectors.
People Professional Apprenticeship
Strategic HR expertise with real-world application, including a CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma.
About
What's Involved
Content
Perfect For
Entry Criteria
Assessments
Output
Learner Reviews
How Much Is it?
People Professional Apprenticeship
About
What's Involved
Content
Perfect For
Entry Criteria
Assessments
Output
Learner Reviews
How Much Is it?
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What is This Programme
The programme is designed to enhance their critical thinking abilities, cultivate an ethical perspective, and help them acquire hands-on HR skills, prioritising the human element within organisations and their HR professional activities.
Organisations stand to significantly gain and benefit from having an HR professional who can align employee support with the broader company strategy, enhance performance management, and foster effective people practices, cultures, and diversity.
These essential skills empower HR professionals to make informed decisions and provide valuable recommendations tailored to specific organisational needs, while also integrating best practices that drive success within the organisation.
This Programme Aims To:
- Enhance understanding of professional behaviors that drive organisational success.
- Empower participants to advance their careers and take on greater responsibilities.
- Deepen knowledge of HR disciplines, legislation, policies, and procedures.
- Develop skills to provide customised HR advice across various domains.
What's Involved?
Expert Training
Each module has its own group training session, most often delivered via a live virtual training session, by an HR expert. The training is highly interactive, engaging and contextualised, so that learners can immediately put their learning to use in the workplace, with new models, skills and tools to help them.
CIPD Diploma
Completing the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management is a mandatory and valuable part of the programme. Learners are supported by their coach as well as on-demand video learning that walks them through how to put together their assignments.
Coaching Support
Learners meet monthly with their personal coaches to ensure application of skills in the workplace, troubleshoot challenges, and build confidence through personalised support.
Portfolio of Evidence
Learners will collect workplace-based evidence including meeting notes, proposals, and reflective pieces. This portfolio supports the End-Point-Assessment process.
What You'll Learn?
Module 1
Introduction to the Apprenticeship Programme
Understand the programme structure, academic expectations, and CIPD professional development.
Programme structure and End Point Assessment requirements
Independent study and active learning
Professional academic writing and referencing
Academic research guidance
Using the CIPD profession map for development
Module 2
The Organisational Context: Introduction to People Professional
Explore the HR practitioner’s role across different organisational contexts and functions.
HR activities and functions
Types of organisations and implications for HR
Organisational culture comprehension
HR function structures
Customer care behaviours
Administrative, advisory, and executive roles
Module 3
High-Quality Decisions and Effective HR Practices
Develop ethical, evidence-based decision-making and align HR practices with strategy.
Critical thinking and evidence use
Ethical decision-making and human-centred practices
Evaluating the impact of HR practices
HR data analysis for process efficiency
Understanding organisational purpose and interpreting financial documents
Aligning HR to strategy and presenting business cases
Module 4
Employment Law and Managing the Employment Relationship
Understand employment law, conflict resolution, and employee voice.
Employee practices and engagement
Conflict behaviour and resolution styles
Managing grievances and disciplinary actions lawfully
Employee bodies and employment relations
Module 5
Talent Management and Workforce Planning
Explore recruitment, retention, onboarding, and sustainable workforce planning.
Labour market trends and workforce planning
Organisational positioning and resourcing decisions
Techniques for recruitment and selection
Turnover, retention, and talent development
Contractual arrangements and onboarding
Sustainable HR leadership principles
Module 6
Reward and Performance Contribution
Analyse and enhance reward systems to drive organisational performance.
Impact of reward systems on performance
Benchmarking reward systems
Supporting performance through reward decisions
Developing managers via CPD, coaching, and mentoring
Module 7
Digital HR
Understand how technology shapes learning, development, and virtual delivery.
Technological advancement in L&D
Challenges and risk mitigation in digital learning
Developing effective digital content
Facilitating real-time virtual learning
Module 8
Organisational Development
Apply strategic problem-solving and persuasive thinking to enable change.
Analysing roles in organisational change
Analytical and creative thinking
Constructing persuasive arguments
Critical explanation of organisational concepts
Module 9
Professional Behaviours and Valuing People
Develop ethical awareness and reflective people practices.
Applying knowledge and skills in HR practice
Ethics, values, and organisational culture
Responsibility, self-reflection, and feedback
Interpersonal communication for impact
Sector awareness and self-assessment
Who is it Perfect For?
Diversity and Inclusion Managers
Leaders focused on equity, inclusion, and organisational culture.
HR Business Partners
Professionals aligning HR strategy with business goals.
HR Consultant Partners
Consultants providing specialist HR advice.
HR Managers
HR leaders managing departments or teams.
Talent Managers
People responsible for recruitment and workforce planning.
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Diversity and Inclusion Managers
HR Business Partners
HR Consultant Partners
HR Managers
Talent Managers
What is The Entry Criteria?
Learners need to:
- Be in a relevant role
- Be carrying out People Professional duties
If English is your second language...
You must be able to understand and articulate yourself to a level that will allow you to benefit from and ultimately pass the End-Point-Assessment of the qualification
How is The Programme Assessed?
End Point Assessment (EPA) will commence at the end of your apprenticeship where you will be assessed against the knowledge, skills and behaviours within the occupational standard.
The EPA period is typically 4 months and EPA requirements include:
A learner-led project presentation followed by questioning
A comprehensive project presentation with follow-up questions designed to evaluate real-world HR application.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of workplace development evidence
An in-depth discussion referencing real evidence of learning and impact.
Integrated Assessment - Assignment
Integrated written work that evidences competence across standards.
Completion of Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management
Assignment-based assessment certified by the CIPD.
What Learners Get Out of It
CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management
Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship Certificate
A prestigious and industry-recognised diploma that builds credibility and career progression in HR.
Delivered through assignment-based assessment, providing practical application throughout.
Benefits
- Boosts credibility and opens routes to senior HR roles
- Strengthens HR knowledge across multiple domains
- Develops evidence-based HR practice and decision-making
- Aligned with the CIPD Profession Map and best practices
This nationally recognised apprenticeship certificate demonstrates the learner’s HR expertise and workplace impact.
It validates competence in ethical HR leadership, employment law, reward and performance, and strategic HR application.
Benefits
- Recognised as a mark of applied HR leadership
- Gives learners the confidence to drive meaningful organisational change
- Demonstrates mastery of HR theory and real-world impact
What Learners Say
Average Learner Score: 4.89 / 5
30 Learners, 726 Feedback Questions Answered
Displaying Some Latest Reviews from Workshops in the Programme
Julia D
Insource Select
(5.00 / 5)
very informative
Friday 2nd May 25
Denise T
Thomas Swan & Co
(5.00 / 5)
The information around the subject
Friday 2nd May 25
Lucy C
Scheidt & Bachmann
(5.00 / 5)
good session as usual
Friday 2nd May 25
Christa W
Nottingham N R C D T
(5.00 / 5)
the content
Thursday 1st May 25
Lauren H
Burnage Academy For Boys
(5.00 / 5)
Interactive and informative
Thursday 1st May 25
Judith L
Community Vision
(4.65 / 5)
The individual elements and the discussions.
Thursday 1st May 25
Karen W
Unity
(4.50 / 5)
A helpful session
Thursday 1st May 25
Rachel M
Crewe Ymca
(4.90 / 5)
Great! Worthwhile!
Tuesday 15th April 25
Beverley R
Horizon Platform Sales
(4.93 / 5)
It was a small group so we could chat openly.
Tuesday 15th April 25
Katrina S
Sebden Steel
(5.00 / 5)
The workshop provided me with the underpinning knowledge needed to complete the Units and workshop assignments.
Tuesday 15th April 25
Emily H
Ymca Exeter
(4.65 / 5)
Gill was great during the first session. She was engaging and energetic. I felt she was kind to us all.
Friday 28th March 25
Philip B
Executive Business Support
(5.00 / 5)
Practical information provided by Gill
Thursday 27th March 25
How Much is it?
For SMEs
95% Funded
Organisations with an annual wage bill under £3 million can access the Co-investment Scheme to fund 95% of the cost of this programme.
£550 per person (+ £124pp for CIPD Student Membership Fee)
For Larger Organisations
Levy Funded
Organisations with an annual wage bill over £3 million can fund the full cost of this programme through their Levy Funds.
£11,000 per person (+ £124pp for CIPD Student Membership Fee)
Sounds Good?
Our short management courses are focused, practical, and designed to deliver impact fast. Get in touch today to find out how we can help you take the next step with confidence.
Address
Gleneagles House, Verongate, Derby, DE1 1UP