20 Years in HR Taught Me One Thing: Invest in Your People

Guest writer: Richard Freke, MD of H2R Selection.

One of the most frequent questions that I get asked is ‘How do you get into HR?’

Having been in HR now for over 20 years (hopefully I don’t look like it!), I started my career in the NHS within the HR & Recruitment team. This gave me a fantastic grounding and insight into the variety of what a career in HR can give you.

Following working within the NHS, I went onto work at Grant Thornton – a Global Accountancy firm, Nisbets – one of UKs biggest supplier of Kitchen & Catering equipment, Lloyds Pharmacy – the 2^nd biggest Pharmacy chain in the UK & Co-operative – one of the biggest Food Retailers in the UK. It was my time at NHS and then Grant Thornton where I studied alongside my roles to achieve my CIPD level 3 and later achieving my CIPD level 7.

My time at all of these organisations shaped my HR Career & prepared me for running my HR Consultancy business H2R Selection which celebrates 10 years this year, something that I am super proud of.

One of my biggest learnings from my experience is developing Talent for the future & investing in your People. That’s why you should think about hiring an HR apprentice.

Hiring an HR apprentice provides significant business benefits, including reduced recruitment costs, increased productivity, and the ability to tailor training to company-specific needs. They act as a cost-effective resource for handling administrative, operational, and first-line advisory tasks.

Key Benefits to a Business

Cost-Effective Talent: Apprenticeships provide a lower-cost entry point compared to hiring experienced professionals, with training costs often covered or subsidised by government funding.
Customised Training: You can mold apprentices to meet the specific needs of your organisation, ensuring they learn the company’s culture and procedures without inheriting bad habits from previous employers.
Increased Productivity: 78% of employers report improved productivity, as apprentices take on daily tasks that free up senior HR staff to focus on strategic initiatives.
Improved Retention & Loyalty: Investing in training creates loyal, skilled staff, reducing long-term hiring costs.
Fresh Perspectives: Apprentices bring new ideas and the latest HR knowledge, improving efficiency.

What Can an HR Apprentice Do?

HR apprentices (particularly those on a Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship) can take over a variety of daily operations:

Recruitment and Onboarding:

Drafting and posting job advertisements on job boards.
Sourcing candidates and screening CVs.
Scheduling interviews and communicating with candidates.
Managing pre-employment checks, including references and Right to Work documentation.
Preparing induction materials and new hire welcome packs.

HR Administration & Compliance:

Maintaining digital personnel files and updating the Human Resources Information System (HRIS).
Drafting employment contracts and letters regarding changes to terms and conditions.
Managing the general HR inbox and providing first-line support for employee queries.

Employee Relations & Support:

Answering basic policy questions (e.g., annual leave, sickness reporting).
Supporting the administration of performance management cycles.
Assisting with the exit process, such as scheduling exit interviews.

Learning and Development (L&D):

Coordinating training sessions and managing attendance records.
Liaising with external training providers.

Data and Reporting:

Producing HR metrics and reports, such as turnover statistics or absence rates.
Updating training matrices and compliance trackers.

If you are thinking about hiring an HR Apprentice or considering a career in HR and want to know more about Pro Apprenticeships new HR course, get in touch with them today!

info@pro-app.co.uk