CIPD Level 5 HR Apprenticeship
People Professional Level 5 (ST0238)
Earn the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management, embedded within the People Professional apprenticeship. A CIPD-accredited HR qualification, AI-augmented practice, and 19 months of structured development with TESS Group.
The CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma, embedded at no extra cost.
TESS Group is a CIPD-accredited delivery centre. Every learner on this apprenticeship earns the full CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management, the qualification global HR employers recognise, and becomes eligible for Associate CIPD membership on completion. No separate fees, no bolt-ons.
HR Professionals Ready for the Next Step
HR Advisors
Move from transactions to strategy. Build HR advisory capability and drive organisational effectiveness.
People Partners
Partner with business leaders. Deepen HR advisory practice and drive business outcomes.
L&D Professionals
Build HR foundation alongside L&D expertise. Develop talent and drive learning impact.
Career Changers
Switch into HR with credible qualification. CIPD Level 5 recognised foundation for HR careers.
Aspiring HR Leaders
Get structured foundation for HR leadership. CIPD Level 5 prepares you for senior HR roles.
HR Coordinators Advancing
Step up from HR coordination to strategic HR work. Build advisory, consultancy, and AI-augmented HR capability.
Your HR Qualifications
Two nationally recognised credentials, embedded within the apprenticeship. Levy-funded, no extra fees.
People Professional Standard
Skills England-Approved Level 5 Apprenticeship
The official Level 5 apprenticeship standard for HR and people professionals. Structured 16-month learning plus 3-month EPA, with protected off-the-job time and 1-to-1 coaching throughout.
A Complimentary Spot on Our
AI Prompting Masterclass
Every learner on this programme gets a free seat on our Ultimate Prompt Engineering Masterclass. Learn how modern HR and people teams are using Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini to speed up recruitment, analyse employee feedback at scale, draft policies and comms, and free up time for strategic partnership work.
Your 19-Month Journey
HR Essentials
HR principles, employment law, business context, and professional practice. OTJ: 24 hours.
Recruitment & Selection
Talent acquisition, recruitment processes, selection techniques, diversity in recruitment. OTJ: 30 hours.
Employee Relations & Development
Employee engagement, development conversations, managing performance, supporting individuals. OTJ: 60 hours.
Strategic HR & Learning
Strategic HR, change management, L&D fundamentals, knowledge management. OTJ: 90 hours.
Reward & Employment Relations
Reward strategy, benefits, pay equity, managing complex people situations, legal compliance. OTJ: 84 hours.
Advanced People Topics
Organisational development, culture, AI and people technology, HR data analytics, strategic partnership. OTJ: 99 hours.
Real HR Project
Lead live HR project. Demonstrate people professional capability. Develop portfolio for EPA. OTJ: 100 hours.
EPA Phase
Knowledge Test, Presentation with Q&A, Professional Discussion with Portfolio. Graded Pass or Distinction.
7 CIPD Units Included
The full CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management curriculum, awarded by the CIPD. Three Core units, three Specialist HR units, and one Optional specialist unit chosen to match your workplace.
5CO01 · Organisational Performance & Culture in Practice
How organisational strategy, culture and change shape people practice, and how HR contributes to business performance.
5CO02 · Evidence-Based Practice
Using data and evidence to diagnose people problems, make sound HR decisions and create measurable value.
5CO03 · Professional Behaviours & Valuing People
The professional behaviours, values and ethics that define credible people practice and a healthy people profession.
5HR01 · Employment Relationship Management
Managing the employment relationship day to day. Voice, engagement, conflict handling, and legal compliance.
5HR02 · Talent Management & Workforce Planning
Attracting, selecting, developing and retaining talent in line with workforce plans and organisational goals.
5HR03 · Reward for Performance & Contribution
Designing and operating reward systems that drive performance, fairness, and motivation at every level.
Choose the Optional Unit that Fits Your Role
Pick one specialist unit from CIPD's optional pool, tailored to your sector, role and development goals. Agreed between learner, line manager and TESS skills coach during onboarding.
13 Duties of a People Professional
Talent Acquisition & Resourcing
Source, recruit, and onboard talent aligned to organisational needs.
Developing Individuals & Teams
Coach, mentor, and develop people. Build capability and support career growth.
Performance & Engagement
Manage performance conversations, feedback, and drive engagement.
Employee Relations
Manage complex people issues, support individuals, ensure legal compliance.
L&D & Knowledge
Identify learning needs, design AI-assisted learning solutions, and embed learning cultures.
Reward Strategy
Design and manage reward and benefits strategies aligned to business.
HR Systems & Data
Use HR systems effectively, apply AI-powered analytics, and build reporting for decision-making.
Change Management
Lead people-centred change and manage organisational transitions.
Compliance & Law
Ensure HR compliance with employment law and regulations.
Business Partnership
Partner strategically with business leaders to drive people outcomes.
Professional Practice
Maintain professional standards, ethics, and continuous learning.
Organisational Effectiveness
Contribute to organisational strategy and effectiveness through people.
Personal Development
Drive own learning, reflection, and professional development.
End-Point Assessment (16+3 Months)
Knowledge Test
90-minute written assessment covering HR principles, law, and practice. Demonstrates knowledge foundation.
Presentation with Q&A
50-minute presentation on HR project with 20 minutes Q&A. Demonstrates application and communication.
Professional Discussion
75-minute discussion of HR experience, portfolio, and professional development. Pass or Distinction grade.
Overall EPA Grade
Independent End-Point Assessment graded Pass or Distinction. Plus Associate CIPD membership eligibility on completion.
Ideal Learner Profile
HR Advisors
Develop from practitioner to advisor level. Build HR advisory practice and business partnership skills.
People Partners
Aspiring people partners with foundational HR experience. Build consultancy and strategic capability.
L&D Professionals
Extend L&D expertise with HR foundation. Understand broader people function and strategic alignment.
Career Changers
Move into HR from other backgrounds. CIPD Level 5 recognised qualification and structured entry pathway.
TESS vs Typical Provider
| Feature | TESS Group | Typical Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 19 months (16+3) | 18-20 months |
| CIPD Qualification | Level 5 Diploma (7 units) | Level 5 Diploma |
| 1-to-1 Support | Throughout programme | Limited or none |
| Assessment | Integrated throughout | End-focused |
| Funding Support | Specialist funding guidance | Basic guidance |
| Completion Rate | 94% | 82% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful but not essential. Typically suited to those with HR background or strong business experience. We support career changers into HR.
CIPD Level 5 is the recognised qualification for HR professionals. It opens doors across all sectors and organisations. Internationally portable.
Up to £11,000 levy-funded through the Apprenticeship Levy. TESS Group helps maximise available funding and employer contributions.
You undertake End-Point Assessment (19 months). Many continue with employer; others progress to CIPD Level 6 or into HR specialist roles.
Yes. CIPD Level 5 is foundation for Chartered Member pathway. Level 5 + experience + professional development = Chartered status.
AI and people technology are woven into the Advanced People Topics month and the HR Systems & Data duty, and every learner gets a complimentary spot on our Ultimate Prompt Engineering Masterclass covering Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini for HR work. Practical, no coding required.
Earn the CIPD Level 5 Diploma
The CIPD-accredited HR apprenticeship. Associate Diploma in People Management embedded. 19 months. Fully levy-funded.