Human Resources Consultant/Partner Higher Apprenticeship Level 5

This role could be called an HR consultant or an HR business partner in different organisations. Individuals in this role will use their HR expertise to provide and lead the delivery of HR solutions to business challenges, together with tailored advice to the business in a number of HR areas, typically to mid-level and senior managers. They could be in a generalist role, where they provide support across a range of HR areas – likely to be the Core HR option; or a specialist role, where they focus on and have in depth expertise in a specific area of HR – likely to be Resourcing, Total Reward, Organisation Development, or HR Operations. Whichever of these is chosen, they will have a good grounding across the whole range of HR disciplines as this is contained in both of the qualification options included in this standard. They will often be required to make decisions and recommendations on what the business can or should do in a specific situation. They will be influencing managers to change their thinking as well as bringing best practice into the organisation. They are also likely to lead the people related elements of business or HR projects. Whatever their role, they will need to link the work they do to the context and priorities of the business. In a larger organisation they may be one of a team supporting the business and they may also have responsibility for managing people.
Entry requirements
Individual employers set the selection criteria, but this is likely to include 5 GCSEs, including Maths and English, although some employers will accept other relevant qualifications and experience, including a relevant Level 2 qualification. Apprentices without English or Maths at Level 2 must achieve this prior to taking the end point assessment.
Course content
The Certificate contains the following modules:
- Business understanding
- HR Technical understanding
- HR Function
- MI and Technology
- HR consultancy
- Providing support and advice
- Contributing to business change
- Building HR capability
- HR information analysis
- Personal development
- Relationship management
Assessment methods
EPA will be interview on showcase portfolio, discussion on project and Knowledge test.
Qualifications
The apprentice will complete an appropriate qualification (as considered most relevant by the employer), within which they will be able to focus on their chosen option, from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development:
- CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Certificate in Human Resource Management
- CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Diploma in Human Resource Management
Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to completion of their apprenticeship.
Further study and career options
Successful completion of this standard enables the apprentice to apply to become an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of personnel and development. Chartered Membership can be achieved through further qualifications or experience based assessment.
This apprenticeship could be an entry level role to the business, however, it is more likely to be a progression from a lower level role or apprenticeship, building on the knowledge and skills gained in that role or apprenticeship. On completion of this apprenticeship, the individual will be fully competent in the role and this will give them an in depth knowledge of HR in their chosen option. They can then continue to develop in that option (perhaps through a further apprenticeship), or broaden their HR expertise in another area to develop their career. Separately, there are a range of qualifications available for further study up to post graduate.