HR Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship
Lead the delivery of HR solutions to business challenges
Earn while you learn on the job
Build expert HR and people practice skills
Advance into strategic HR roles
The Level 5 HR People Professional Apprenticeship is designed for those responsible for providing HR expertise within their organisation.
Ideal for HR generalists, managers, or those in similar roles requiring HR expertise
Learn through a combination of on-the-job training and guided learning
Develop strategic skills for developing HR activities
Expert support from CIPD-qualified tutors & access to a wide range of online learning resources
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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
What to expect during your apprenticeship
We address challenges associated with conventional HR approaches through workshops and enhance the learning journey by providing you with coaches and mentors who will guide you throughout the programme.
You can access your course materials on any device and at any time, giving you a seamless and flexible learning experience.
Throughout the programme you will be supported by an industry adviser and have access to our substantive Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You’ll follow an individual learning plan and complete tasks and activities to support each component of your apprenticeship. Progress will be tracked through our ePortfolio system, OneFile.
You’ll complete the CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management qualification.
Units you’ll study
Three core units
Organisational performance and culture in practice (5C001)
Evidence-based practice (5C002)
Professional behaviours and valuing people (5C003)
Plus three specialist units
Employment relationship management (5HR01)
Talent management and workforce planning (5HR02)
Reward for performance and contribution (5HR03)
Plus one additional specialist unit
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)
Well-being at work (5OS07)
Programme features
Your apprenticeship will involve a blend of learning, encompassing a combination of workshops and online meetings, along with supporting resources including webinars, engaging online videos, PDF resources and activities. Checklists and practice quizzes will allow you to integrate and retain what you have learned.
Your programme will include:
Live online workshops
24/7 access to our VLE and your e-portfolio
Regular 1:1 meetings with an expert adviser
Unit study guides
Access to our learning bites webinar series
Online forums
Progress reviews
Pastoral support
End point assessment preparation
The People Professional apprenticeship is an advanced apprenticeship, comparable to the level of a University Foundation degree. The programme runs for approximately 21 months, with an additional 3 months allocated for the End Point Assessment (EPA).
The programme is structured into four main phases:
Induction - to introduce you to the programme and its requirements.
Core Modules - focusing on building essential HR knowledge and skills.
End Point Assessment Preparation - ensuring you’re fully prepared for the final evaluation.
End Point Assessment (EPA) - the concluding assessment phase to achieve your qualification.
This phased approach supports a well-rounded learning experience, combining practical knowledge and structured assessment to help you succeed in your HR career.
To join the Level 5 HR People Professional Apprenticeship, candidates should have relevant experience or a relevant Level 3 qualification. You’ll also need to demonstrate that you can meet the standard of work required for a Level 5 qualification.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, along with the ability to work independently and as part of a team, are essential. Apprentices without English or Maths at Level 2 must achieve this before taking the End Point Assessment.
Employers may have additional specific entry requirements, so please confirm eligibility with your employer.
How will you be assessed?
Your off-the-job training will be assessed throughout the programme and will be based on the Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours (SKBs) you develop.
An End Point Assessment takes place once you have completed all the on-programme requirements of the apprenticeship. The End Point Assessment is an assessment of the SKB's and includes:
- A presentation with questions
- A professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence that you will collate on programme
- 5CO03 integrated assessment
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.
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
Centrica - Graduate Scheme
Baroness Cox, Founder of Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART)
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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