Are you interested in a career in Human Resources and looking for the perfect opportunity to get started?

We are looking for an Apprentice HR Assistant to join our People & Inclusion team. This is an excellent opportunity to gain a recognised HR qualification while developing practical experience across the full employee lifecycle.

As an Apprentice HR Assistant, you will learn from experienced HR professionals whilst supporting a busy, customer-focused People Operations team. You'll gain valuable skills in recruitment, onboarding, HR administration, customer service, data management and employment processes that will prepare you for a future career in HR.

You'll be joining us at an exciting time, with opportunities to contribute to the future of recruitment at Bury Council. From helping to build our employer brand to supporting our use of social media and digital engagement, you'll play a part in attracting the next generation of talent whilst developing valuable HR and recruitment skills of your own.

The apprenticeship qualification undertaken (CIPD Level 3 or Level 5) will be dependent on the successful candidate’s experience and existing skills and will be discussed during the recruitment process. We are committed to developing our people and are proud advocates of apprenticeships as a fantastic route to gain qualifications, skills and career progression opportunities.

Normal hours of work are 37 hours per week based around the usual business working week. Dependent on service requirements, you may be required to work on a rota basis.

Working alongside the People Operations team, you'll:

  • Undertake a recognised HR apprenticeship qualification and complete all associated learning and assessments.
  • Learn how to provide administrative support across a range of HR processes.
  • Support recruitment activities, including advertising vacancies and assisting managers through the recruitment process.
  • Help coordinate pre-employment checks and onboarding for new employees.
  • Respond to HR enquiries and provide excellent customer service to managers, employees and candidates.
  • Support the production of HR documentation and contractual paperwork.
  • Develop an understanding of payroll-related processes and employment terms and conditions.

What We're Looking For:

We're interested in people with the right attitude and potential. You don't need previous HR experience we'll help you develop the skills you need.

You'll need:

  • GCSEs in English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above) or equivalent.
  • Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage your workload.
  • A willingness to learn and complete an apprenticeship qualification.
  • Good attention to detail and accuracy.
  • The ability to work as part of a team.
  • An understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
  • A positive and professional approach to customer service.
  • Basic IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.

In the first instance, apprenticeship opportunities will be ringfenced for residents of Bury, ensuring local people are given priority access to these development and employment opportunities.

Launch your HR career with us! Whether you're taking your first step into the world of work or looking for a new challenge, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn, develop and make a real difference as part of our People & Inclusion team. If you're ready to grow your skills and build a rewarding career in HR, we'd love to hear from you.

Next steps

For an informal chat regarding the role please contact Rebecca Lockwood on R.Lockwood@bury.gov.uk
Interviews will be held on 20th & 21st August.

About Bury
The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Appointment may be subject to a satisfactory disclosure at the appropriate level under the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In line with safer recruitment, please ensure that your application/CV covers your full employment history and there is a reason noted for any gaps in employment. Successful candidates will be asked to provide relevant references for the past ten years and character references will not be accepted.

Please note we are unable to support with sponsorship at this time.

As a Corporate Parent, ensure that the work and services you deliver considers our care experienced young people, promotes their life chances empowers them to influence the policies, services, and decisions that affect them, champions their rights, and ensure they grow up in the best possible way.

Benefits of working for Bury Council
To hear about the benefits for working with Bury Council, please visit Bury - Home | greater.jobs
We are committed to Bury being an equal society that recognises values and embraces all people, regardless of any difference, for the skills, abilities and experiences they bring into the workforce and the wider community. Therefore we guarantee an interview for disabled people, looked after children/ care leavers, armed forces personnel (including reservists and veterans) and carers of adults or disabled children if they meet the essential criteria.

Supporting Documents

↗ Privacy Notice
↗ Job Description - HR Assistant
↗ Job Description - Entry Apprentice
↗ Job Description - Higher Apprentice

Ready to apply?

Location

Knowsley Street, , Bury, BL9 0SW, United Kingdom

Job ID

12256

Supporting You Through Every Step of Your Journey

We want every candidate to feel welcomed, informed and confident when applying for a role with us.

This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to understanding how to use AI responsibly.

You’ll also find information about our Greater Manchester commitments, including our inclusive employment schemes and standards, as well as tools to help you explore your potential pay, benefits and entitlements. We’re here to ensure you have the support you need at every stage.

Working for a local authority in Greater Manchester

Local authorities across Greater Manchester are proud to be part of a shared commitment to widening access to employment and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

These commitments span a number of long‑standing schemes and initiatives designed to open doors, remove barriers and ensure all applicants feel valued and respected throughout their employment journey.

Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter

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Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter

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Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

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Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment

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Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment

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Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards

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Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards

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Your Pay, Your Benefits, Your Future

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  1. Calculate Your Take‑Home Pay

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Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach

Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.

To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice.

Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.

This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.

  1. What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?

    AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.

    We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.

    When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.

    This means:

    • A trained hiring manager reads every application

    • Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job

    • Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role

    • All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms

    AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.

    Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.

  2. Using AI in Your Application

    When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team. 

    We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.

    We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

  3. How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly

    Your application is your chance to show us:

    • Who you are

    • What you can bring

    • The values you hold

    • Why you want to make a difference

    AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.

    AI is most helpful when used to:

    • Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria

    • Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

    • Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors

    • Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something

    But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.

  4. Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process

    Do:

    • Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement

    • Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure

    • Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice

    • Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience

    • Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself

    Don’t:

    • Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application

    • Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have

    • Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements

    • Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice

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