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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an HR Apprentice

💰 $40,000 - $55,000

Human ResourcesEntry-LevelApprenticeship

🎯 Role Definition

The HR Apprentice is a foundational, hands-on learning role designed to develop a future Human Resources professional. You will be an integral part of our People team, providing crucial administrative and coordination support across various HR functions. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain exposure to talent acquisition, employee lifecycle management, HR systems, and employee engagement projects. Under the guidance of senior HR team members, you will learn the practical application of HR principles and contribute to creating a positive and productive work environment for all our employees.


📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • University/College Graduate (HR, Business, or related field)
  • Administrative Assistant with a keen interest in HR
  • Customer Service Representative seeking a career change

Advancement To:

  • HR Coordinator
  • HR Generalist
  • Talent Acquisition Specialist

Lateral Moves:

  • Payroll Assistant
  • Learning & Development Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Actively support the full-cycle recruitment process by posting job openings on various career boards and social media platforms.
  • Conduct initial resume screenings against job descriptions to identify a qualified pool of candidates for review by the Talent Acquisition team.
  • Coordinate and schedule phone screens, virtual, and in-person interviews, ensuring a seamless and positive experience for both candidates and hiring managers.
  • Facilitate a smooth and welcoming onboarding experience for new hires by preparing orientation materials, welcome kits, and required employment paperwork.
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for new employees during their first weeks, answering questions and guiding them through the initial onboarding process.
  • Assist in the offboarding process by preparing separation documents, coordinating exit interviews, and ensuring all company property is returned.
  • Maintain the accuracy and integrity of employee data by performing timely data entry of new hires, status changes, and terminations into the Human Resources Information System (HRIS).
  • Conduct regular audits of employee files, both digital and physical, to ensure compliance with company policies and legal requirements.
  • Provide first-line support to employees by responding to routine inquiries regarding HR policies, procedures, and benefits.
  • Escalate complex employee relations issues or sensitive inquiries to the appropriate HR Business Partner or specialist in a timely and confidential manner.
  • Assist in the administration of employee benefits programs, including open enrollment, by distributing materials and answering basic questions.
  • Support the payroll department by gathering and verifying timesheet data and reporting on new hires or pay-related changes.
  • Help coordinate logistics for company-wide training and development initiatives, including scheduling sessions, booking rooms, and tracking attendance.
  • Contribute to employee engagement efforts by assisting in the planning and execution of company events, surveys, and recognition programs.
  • Support the performance management cycle by assisting with the distribution of review materials and tracking completion rates.
  • Draft and prepare standard HR documents, letters, and employee communications under the guidance of senior HR staff.
  • Generate basic reports from the HRIS and other systems to provide data for HR metrics and dashboards (e.g., headcount, turnover, time-to-fill).
  • Assist with HR compliance activities, such as I-9 verification, background check processing, and maintaining required workplace postings.
  • Maintain a high level of confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive employee information and company data.
  • Help manage and respond to inquiries from HR-related inboxes, triaging requests to the appropriate team members.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by helping to ensure data cleanliness.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the People and Culture team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) is essential.
  • Familiarity with Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) like Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, or ADP.
  • Basic understanding of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) for recruitment coordination.
  • Ability to learn and adapt to new HR technologies and software platforms quickly.
  • Strong experience with calendar management and scheduling tools (e.g., Outlook, Google Calendar).

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with employees at all levels.
  • Impeccable attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in data entry and documentation.
  • The highest degree of integrity, professionalism, and the ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
  • A customer-centric mindset with a genuine desire to help and support employees.
  • Proactive problem-solving abilities and a resourceful, "can-do" attitude.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team.
  • Adaptability and a strong eagerness to learn new concepts and processes within the HR field.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent. Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of a post-secondary program.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree or Diploma.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Human Resources Management
  • Business Administration
  • Psychology
  • Communications

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0-2 years of experience in an administrative, customer service, or coordination role.

Preferred:

  • Previous internship or co-op experience within a Human Resources department is a significant asset.