What is the Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship?

It's a higher-level apprenticeship for HR practitioners that runs over approximately 22 months. Successful learners gain both a Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship certificate and the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management.

How much does the Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship cost?

The funding band is £11,000. Large employers can use Apprenticeship Levy funds to cover the full cost. Non-levy employers typically pay just 5% of the training cost, with the government funding the remaining 95%. Learners pay nothing.

What qualifications do you get from the People Professional Apprenticeship?

You receive two qualifications: the Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship certificate and the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management. This also normally leads to Associate Membership of the CIPD.

How long does the Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship take?

The programme typically runs for around 22 months, including on-the-job learning, off-the-job training (at least 20% of working time), portfolio building, and an end-point assessment.

Can I do the apprenticeship while working full-time?

Yes, the apprenticeship is designed for people already in HR or people roles. Learning is delivered through a blend of online teaching, workshops, coaching and workplace projects, making it manageable alongside a busy role.

Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship: A Complete Guide for UK Employers and Learners

Q: What roles does the Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship prepare you for?

The apprenticeship prepares learners for roles including HR business partner, HR manager, people manager, talent manager, and L&D manager. It covers workforce planning, employee relations, talent management, reward, and wellbeing.

The Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship is a highly effective way for UK employers to develop strategic HR capability while accessing substantial government funding support. It combines a full apprenticeship with a CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management, giving successful learners two valuable qualifications from a single programme.

What the Apprenticeship Is

The Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship is a higher-level programme designed for HR practitioners who support organisational strategy through effective people management across the full employee lifecycle. It typically runs over around 22 months and is set at funding band £11,000, broadly equivalent to studying at higher national diploma level.

Learners focus on areas such as workforce planning, employee relations, talent management, reward, wellbeing and evidence-based HR practice, preparing them for roles like HR business partner, HR manager, people manager and talent manager.

Funding and Levy Use

For large employers paying the Apprenticeship Levy, the full cost of the Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship can be met from levy funds up to the £11,000 funding band maximum. Smaller, non-levy employers normally pay just 5% of the agreed training cost, with the government funding the remaining 95%, making this a highly cost-effective development route.

Apprenticeships are also cost-free to the learner, as the funding responsibility sits with the employer rather than the individual, making it an attractive option for staff who want to progress without taking on personal fees.

Two Recognised Qualifications

One of the biggest advantages of this apprenticeship is that successful learners gain two formal outcomes. They achieve the Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship certificate and, at the same time, complete the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management.

Completion of the diploma normally leads to Associate Membership of the CIPD, giving professionals access to a respected chartered body, ongoing resources and an industry-recognised badge of HR credibility.

Why Employers Should Choose This Route

For organisations, this apprenticeship builds a pipeline of confident HR professionals who can translate people data, employment law and best practice into practical solutions that support business objectives. It also helps standardise HR capability across teams, raising quality and consistency in areas such as employee relations, performance management and organisational change.

Because it is funded through levy or 95% government co-investment, employers can deploy a high-quality, nationally recognised development programme at a fraction of the cost of many standalone HR qualifications.

Why Individuals Should Do It

For learners, this route offers structured, job-relevant development that can be applied immediately in the workplace, accelerating readiness for roles such as HR business partner, people manager or L&D manager. The embedded CIPD diploma gives a portable qualification that supports long-term career progression across sectors, not just within a single employer.

Learning is typically delivered through a blend of online teaching, workshops, coaching and on-the-job projects, making it easier to balance study with a busy HR role.

VQ Solutions as a Leading Provider

VQ Solutions is an Ofsted-rated "Good" training provider delivering apprenticeships and professional qualifications across the UK from its base in Harrogate. As a CIPD-accredited centre, VQ Solutions offers the Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship alongside the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management, with national delivery supported by online and blended learning.

Employers working with VQ Solutions benefit from strong achievement rates, responsive delivery, and engaging workshops and webinars, with most apprentices retained and often promoted after completing their programme.

Key Benefits at a Glance

Is the Apprenticeship Right for You?

The Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship is ideal for:

HR administrators: looking to step up into business partner or manager roles

People professionals: who want a recognised qualification alongside practical workplace learning

Employers: seeking to develop internal HR capability using levy or government funding

Career changers: moving into HR who want structured development

If you're already working in an HR or people role and want to formalise your knowledge while gaining a respected qualification, this apprenticeship provides an excellent pathway.

How the Apprenticeship Works

The programme typically includes:

Initial assessment – Your current skills and experience are reviewed to create a personalised learning plan
Off-the-job training – At least 20% of your working time is dedicated to learning activities
Workplace application – You apply what you learn directly to your role
Portfolio building – Evidence of your competence is gathered throughout the programme
End-point assessment – A final assessment confirms you've met the apprenticeship standard

Throughout the programme, you'll complete the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma units, which are integrated into the apprenticeship curriculum.

Getting Started

If you're an employer interested in developing HR capability through the apprenticeship, or an individual looking to progress your career, the first step is to speak with an accredited training provider like VQ Solutions.

They can help you understand funding options, plan the learning journey, and ensure the programme aligns with your organisational or career goals.

The Bottom Line

For organisations looking to stretch their levy further or maximise government funding, the Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship delivered by a specialist provider such as VQ Solutions offers a high-impact, low-cost way to strengthen HR capability and retain talented people professionals.

For individuals, it's a chance to gain two valuable qualifications—an apprenticeship certificate and a CIPD diploma—while being paid to learn and develop skills that will serve you throughout your HR career.