HR Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship
Develop strategic HR skills with a Level 5 HR apprenticeship
Earn while you learn with a fully funded HR apprenticeship
Gain a CIPD Level 5 qualification in People Management
Develop strategic HR and people management skills
Progress into HR advisor, HR manager, or HR business partner roles
This HR Level 5 apprenticeship is designed for professionals already working in HR roles who want to expand their strategic influence and gain a recognised CIPD qualification while continuing to earn.
Ideal for HR generalists, HR managers, and those in roles requiring HR expertise
Learn through a combination of on-the-job training and guided online learning
Develop strategic HR skills to support business objectives and people practices
Expert support from CIPD-qualified tutors and access to a wide range of online learning resources
Our apprenticeships are open to individuals who have an employer willing to sponsor and support their training.
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Apprenticeship overview
- Duration : 24 months
- RQF Level: 5
- Total credit value: 42
This apprenticeship empowers you to drive the people agenda in alignment with business objectives. Through this program, you’ll develop the skills needed to advise and coach colleagues on the interpretation of policies and employment law, and you’ll play a key role in supporting people-related elements of business projects.
All apprentices who complete the Level 5 program will earn the CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management, a respected qualification that aligns with CIPD Associate Membership, marking a significant career milestone.
Typical Responsibilities
As a People Professional apprentice, you’ll handle a variety of responsibilities, including:
Providing HR advice and coaching to managers
Developing and supporting employee engagement and retention initiatives
Collaborating on people-related aspects of business projects
Advising on policies, employment law, and organisational development
Supporting diversity and inclusion, wellbeing, and talent management efforts
Who is it for?
This apprenticeship is ideal for individuals who are already in roles requiring HR expertise, especially those who seek to expand their impact and strategic influence within their organisation.
Typical Job Titles Include:
Diversity and Inclusion Manager
Employee Relations Consultant
HR Generalist
HR Business Partner
HR Manager
Organisation Development Consultant
Reward Consultant
Talent Manager
Wellbeing Consultant
Apprenticeship details
HR Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship — Overview
Duration: 24 months | RQF Level: 5 | Total credit value: 42
This HR Level 5 apprenticeship develops your ability to deliver strategic HR support aligned with business objectives. You will build the skills needed to advise managers on people practices, employment law, and organisational development, while supporting key business projects throughout. All apprentices who complete the programme achieve the CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management, aligned with CIPD Associate Membership.
Units you will study
Three core units:
Organisational performance and culture in practice (5C001)
Evidence-based practice (5C002)
Professional behaviours and valuing people (5C003)
Three specialist units:
Employment relationship management (5HR01)
Talent management and workforce planning (5HR02)
Reward for performance and contribution (5HR03)
Plus one additional specialist unit (choose one):
Specialist employment law (5OS01)
Advances in digital learning and development (5OS02)
Learning and development essentials (5OS03)
People management in an international context (5OS04)
Diversity and inclusion (5OS05)
Leadership and management development (5OS06)
Wellbeing at work (5OS07)
To be eligible for this apprenticeship, candidates should have relevant HR experience or a Level 3 qualification and must be able to demonstrate they can meet the standard required for a Level 5 programme.
Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, along with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. English and Maths at Level 2 must be achieved before the End Point Assessment.
Employers may set additional entry requirements. Candidates should confirm their eligibility with their employer before applying.
Throughout the programme you will be supported by a dedicated industry adviser who will guide your learning and development. You will follow an individual learning plan and complete activities aligned to the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the apprenticeship standard.
Progress is tracked through the OneFile ePortfolio system, which you can access on any device at any time alongside the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
On-programme assessment
Your off-the-job training is assessed throughout the programme based on the Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours (SKBs) you develop.
End Point Assessment (EPA) The EPA takes place once you have completed all on-programme requirements. It includes three components:
A presentation with questions to an independent assessor
A professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence collated throughout the programme
An integrated assessment of the Professional Behaviours and Valuing People unit (5CO03)
Many organisations with an annual pay bill over £3 million are already contributing to the apprenticeship levy. This programme can be fully funded through those existing levy funds at no additional cost to the business. Non-levy employers contribute just 5%.
HR Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship - £11,000
For levy-paying employers, the programme can be fully funded through the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account.
For non‑levy payers, 95% of the apprenticeship cost is funded by the government.
Eligible organisations may also be able to receive a levy transfer from Reed
You can explore your funding options here. Alternatively, get in touch if you’d like to speak with one of our apprenticeship advisors.
Programme outcomes
For learners
This apprenticeship gives you the HR knowledge, strategic skills and a CIPD qualification to advance your career — without leaving your job or your employer.
Achieve the CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management
Build skills in employment law, workforce planning, and people strategy
Earn while you learn — no career break required
Progress into roles such as HR Business Partner, HR Manager, or HR Consultant
For employers
Investing in this apprenticeship builds HR capability at a strategic level, funded through the apprenticeship levy.
Develop HR professionals who can operate strategically and support business objectives
Fully fund the programme through the Digital Apprenticeship Service for levy-paying organisations
Retain and reward talent through structured career development
Strengthen capability across employment law, diversity and inclusion, talent management, and more
Reed Business School holds recognised Platinum status for our CIPD provision, upholding the highest standards of CIPD tuition, assessment and learner achievement
Why choose Reed Business School?
As an experienced, RoATP‑approved provider, we make it easy for employers to run effective apprenticeship programmes.
Employers choose Reed Business School because we:
tailor apprenticeship solutions to your organisation’s needs
have a proven track record, reflected in our Good Ofsted rating
are trusted and fully approved on the RoATP
work alongside your teams to support workforce development
provide access to specialists across our specialism (HR, L&D, Leadership & Management, and Accounting)
As your apprenticeship partner, we help you address the main challenges employers face, including:
designing programmes that meet regulatory and quality requirements
recruiting suitable apprentices
balancing training needs with day‑to‑day operations
managing compliance and funding documentation
preparing learners for end‑point assessment and selecting providers
achieving a strong return on investment
Testimonials
John Lewis and Partners - Apprenticeship
Grace Pasquale - Resourcing Adviser, Ordnance Survey | HR Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship
Case studies
CIPD Apprenticeship success story: Grace Pasquale
Meet Grace Pasquale, who recently completed her CIPD HR Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship with Reed Business School. Grace tells us about her learning journey and how her confidence has grown.
Stephanie James received a distinction for her level 5 apprenticeship with Reed Learning!
Hard work paid off for Stephanie James who received a distinction for her level 5 apprenticeship with Reed Learning. The Business Partner with Harrods was promoted during her programme and became CIPD qualified. Stephanie says the support she received from her personal adviser Lorraine Bartlett and the quality of Reed Learning’s online resources were instrumental to her success and is thrilled with the results. Here she tells her story.
National Apprenticeship Week – A Level 5 Apprenticeship in HR has been inspiring for John Norton
By studying with Reed Learning, Divisional Recruitment and Retention Lead John Norton gained new skills and knowledge to progress his HR career.
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