HUMAN RESOURCES (HR)
EXPLORE A CAREER IN HR
- Job recruitment, selection and promotion
- Promoting career development and training
- Developing employee benefits and wellness programmes
- Enforcing personnel policies
- Induction processes for new employees
- Guidance regarding disciplinary actions
- Primary contact for accidents within the workplace.
- HR assistant
- HR manager
- HR officer
- Recruiter
- Training and development manager
- Employment services manager
- Benefits counsellor
- Payroll
To find out how to start your career and where a career in HR can take you click the tabs below.
HUMAN RESOURCE ASSISTANT
Human resources (HR) assistants provide admin support to the HR team in a company or organisation.
Average salary (a year) - £15,000 to £22,000
Typical hours (a week) - 37 to 39
How to become a Human resources assistant?
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
- specialist courses run by professional bodies
College
There is no set entry route to become a human resources assistant but it may be useful to do A levels in relevant subjects like:
- Business
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Law
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeships
Over a period between 1 to 3 years, you will finish the course with a NVQ. A standard apprenticeship will result in a level 2 NVQ (which is the same as doing 5 GCSE’s). Completing an advanced apprenticeship will result in a level 3 (the same as 2 A-levels). There are also higher apprenticeships which lead to Level 4 and above. The highest level apprenticeship is a level 7 which is equivalent to a master’s degree. Employers will set their own entry requirements. The Building Materials Industry are great supporters of apprenticeships. To view apprenticeship vacancies click here.
Ideally you'll need knowledge or experience in the following:
- administration skills
- knowledge of human resources and employment law
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- customer service skills
- the ability to work well with others
- sensitivity and understanding
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to read English
- being able to use a computer terminal or hand-held device may be beneficial for this job.
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Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- answering enquiries
- maintaining staff details on computer systems
- writing documents like letters and reports
- updating employee holiday and sickness records
- recording discussions during disciplinary procedures
- producing staff handbooks and newsletters
- organising meetings and taking ‘minutes’
- setting up recruitment and training events.
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You could work from home or in an office.
Career Progression / Related Careers
- HR Manager
- HR Officer
- Recruitment Consultant
- Training Manager
- Training Officer
In Job Training
There are many training courses within the industry to help you build your career such as:
- GDPR
- Employment law masterclass
- Employment law updates
Download our Training Road Map
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER
HR manager, personnel manager, HR director
Human resources (HR) managers develop, deliver and manage HR policies and plans.
Average salary (a year) - £35,000 to £150,000
Typical hours (a week) - 37 to 39
How to become a Human resources assistant?
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- specialist courses run by professional bodies
College
You could do a college course like:
- Level 5 Diploma in Business Management and Human Resources
- Level 5 Diploma In Applied Human Resources
- Level 5 Diploma In Human Resource Management
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
University
You'll need a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree course in:
- Human resources management
- Psychology
- Business with languages
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels for a degree
- a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course.
Apprenticeships
You can get into this role through a HR consultant or partner higher apprenticeship. Employers will set their own entry requirements. To view apprenticeship vacancies click here.
Work
You could start as an assistant in a human resources department and work your way up through training and promotion.
Some companies also have general management or human resources graduate training schemes.
Ideally you'll need knowledge or experience in the following:
- knowledge of human resources and employment law
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- leadership skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- business management skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to motivate and manage staff
- you will be expected to use a computer confidently as part of this job.
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- leading an organisation’s HR team
- supporting managers in getting the best out of their staff
- planning staff policies
- designing and advising on company benefits packages
- training and developing staff
- handling complicated HR issues
- working to improve employee relations
- managing budgets
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You could work from home or in an office.
Career Progression / Related Careers
- Training Officer
- Training Manager
- Recruitment Consultant
In Job Training
There are many training courses within the industry to help you build your career such as:
- Managing sickness absence
- Parting ways and protecting your business interests
- Progressing an effective investigation
- Managing the disciplinary process
- Driving performance
Download our Training Road Map
HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER
Personnel officer
Human resources officers hire employees and help develop their careers, and look after employee relations, benefits and welfare.
Average salary (a year) - £15,000 to £50,000
Typical hours (a week) - 38 to 40
How to become a Human resources officer?
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- specialist courses run by professional bodies
College
Employers may prefer you to have relevant qualifications like those offered by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). You can study qualifications like:
- CIPD Level 5 Award in Human Resources
- CIPD Level 5 Certificate/Diploma in Human Resources Management
- Level 5 Diploma in Business Management and Human Resources
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
University
You'll usually need a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree course in:
- human resources management
- a combined degree such as business management and human resources
- a related subject
Some companies have general management or human resources graduate training schemes.
Postgraduate qualifications in human resource management are also available.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels for a degree
- a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
Apprenticeships
You can get into this role through a HR consultant. Employers will set their own entry requirements. To view apprenticeship vacancies click here.
Work
You could start as a business administrator in a company's HR department, and work your way up through training and promotion.
Some companies also have general management or human resources graduate training schemes.
Ideally you'll need knowledge or experience in the following:
- administration skills
- knowledge of human resources and employment law
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- customer service skills
- the ability to work well with others
- sensitivity and understanding
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to read English
- being able to use a computer terminal or hand-held device may be beneficial for this job
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- dealing with complaints and discipline procedures
- assisting in the recruitment of new employees
- working with other managers, improving employees' experiences of the workplace
- keeping employee records
- helping people get training and development
- making sure employees have the right pay and benefits
- arranging employee services such as welfare and counselling
- promoting equality, and health and safety
- advising on matters like pay negotiations, redundancy and employment law
- developing HR policies and procedures
- recording and analysing confidential information
- writing employee handbooks
- dealing with staff at all levels
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You could work from home or in an office.
Career Progression / Related Careers
You could become a member of CIPD to show your professional status and continue your professional development.
With experience, you could progress into senior management.
Related Roles
- Training Officer
- Training Manager
- HR Manager
- Recruitment Consultant
In Job Training
There are many training courses within the industry to help you build your career such as:
- Grievances vs. whistleblowing
- Dealing with mental health in the workplace
- Employment law masterclass
Download our Training Road Map
Listen to their story
‘Before I joined Travis Perkins all I had was GCSE’s and A levels, also a few NVQs. I knew nothing about the building trade at all. I think continuing your education within the industry that you’re interested in really helps. Its more hands on, you get more interested in it and it’s not just sitting and staring at a book.’ – Victoria Fiddies
FIND YOUR NEXT CAREER
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Human resources is the name of the department that serve the needs of the people working for a company. In order for a company to succeed, HR is required to provide the processes, information and training to support the staff.
- No you don’t need a degree to work in this job sector. Many start their careers in HR through an apprenticeship and work their way up through the career ladder that way. However, a degree can help you progress quicker due to the knowledge you have learnt.
- The salary varies by your job role and whether or not you specialise in a certain area. However the average wage for those working in HR is £24,435.
- Yes there is! There is a variety of career paths, with lots of different things to learn. You can start off as a HR Officer and progress to Human resource Manager, to human resource advisor and all the way up to director level. Many people report that they have high job satisfaction from this career, due to the amount of opportunities.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP TO YOUR NEW START

