Level 5 HR Apprenticeship Review
at Network Rail
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Human Resources
Birmingham
Review Submitted: February 2026
Overall Rating
5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
I currently work in the Apprenticeship and Graduate Team, where my role focuses on developing, supporting and continuously improving apprenticeship and graduate schemes across the business.
On a day‑to‑day basis, I work closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including colleagues across the organisation, training providers and early careers teams, to help design schemes that meet both business needs and learner development. This includes supporting the delivery of existing programmes, identifying opportunities for improvement, and contributing to the development of new apprenticeship and graduate pathways.
My role also involves supporting apprentices and graduates throughout their journey, helping to ensure they have a positive experience, access to the right information, and the support they need to succeed. I regularly assist with communications, engagement activities, events and promotions, as well as responding to queries and providing guidance to colleagues and learners.
Overall, my role is about helping to create high‑quality early careers programmes that develop future talent, support progression, and open up meaningful career opportunities through apprenticeships and graduate schemes.
On a day‑to‑day basis, I work closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including colleagues across the organisation, training providers and early careers teams, to help design schemes that meet both business needs and learner development. This includes supporting the delivery of existing programmes, identifying opportunities for improvement, and contributing to the development of new apprenticeship and graduate pathways.
My role also involves supporting apprentices and graduates throughout their journey, helping to ensure they have a positive experience, access to the right information, and the support they need to succeed. I regularly assist with communications, engagement activities, events and promotions, as well as responding to queries and providing guidance to colleagues and learners.
Overall, my role is about helping to create high‑quality early careers programmes that develop future talent, support progression, and open up meaningful career opportunities through apprenticeships and graduate schemes.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I really enjoy my apprenticeship. It has been a valuable and rewarding experience that has allowed me to develop my skills, confidence and understanding of HR and early careers in a practical way.
I enjoy being able to apply what I learn directly to my role, particularly through working in the Apprenticeship and Graduate Team where I can see the real impact of my work.
The apprenticeship has given me exposure to a wide range of activities, opportunities to contribute ideas, and the chance to continuously develop both professionally and personally.
Overall, it has reinforced my interest in HR and early careers and has supported my long‑term career development.
I enjoy being able to apply what I learn directly to my role, particularly through working in the Apprenticeship and Graduate Team where I can see the real impact of my work.
The apprenticeship has given me exposure to a wide range of activities, opportunities to contribute ideas, and the chance to continuously develop both professionally and personally.
Overall, it has reinforced my interest in HR and early careers and has supported my long‑term career development.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
During my HR apprenticeship, I’ve developed a wide range of skills that have helped me grow both professionally and personally. I’ve strengthened my communication skills, learning how to engage confidently with colleagues, managers and stakeholders, and adapt my approach depending on the audience.
I’ve developed a solid understanding of HR processes, including recruitment, onboarding, employee support and early careers activity, while also building my organisational and time‑management skills by balancing day‑to‑day work with my apprenticeship learning.
My apprenticeship has also helped me grow in confidence and professionalism, particularly when working independently, contributing ideas, and supporting projects and events. I’ve improved my problem‑solving skills, learning how to handle queries, prioritise tasks, and find solutions in a fast‑paced environment.
Overall, my HR apprenticeship has given me practical experience, transferable skills, and a clearer understanding of HR as a career, while supporting my personal development and long‑term career goals.
I’ve developed a solid understanding of HR processes, including recruitment, onboarding, employee support and early careers activity, while also building my organisational and time‑management skills by balancing day‑to‑day work with my apprenticeship learning.
My apprenticeship has also helped me grow in confidence and professionalism, particularly when working independently, contributing ideas, and supporting projects and events. I’ve improved my problem‑solving skills, learning how to handle queries, prioritise tasks, and find solutions in a fast‑paced environment.
Overall, my HR apprenticeship has given me practical experience, transferable skills, and a clearer understanding of HR as a career, while supporting my personal development and long‑term career goals.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
My apprenticeship is well organised and clearly structured. The learning is delivered through a planned cycle of webinars, assignments and independent study, which makes it manageable alongside my role.
I attend a webinar every fortnight over a three‑week period, followed by 2–3 weeks to complete and submit the related assignment. After this, there is a two‑week break before the next webinar block begins, which allows time to reflect, consolidate learning and balance work commitments.
Across the apprenticeship, we complete seven CIPD units, alongside building a portfolio of evidence throughout the apprenticeship and completing a work‑based project to support our end‑point assessment. We also complete off‑the‑job training, which directly supports our assignments and helps us apply our learning in a practical way.
Overall, the structure provides a good balance between guided learning, independent study and practical application, making it clear what is expected at each stage and helping me stay on track throughout the apprenticeship.
I attend a webinar every fortnight over a three‑week period, followed by 2–3 weeks to complete and submit the related assignment. After this, there is a two‑week break before the next webinar block begins, which allows time to reflect, consolidate learning and balance work commitments.
Across the apprenticeship, we complete seven CIPD units, alongside building a portfolio of evidence throughout the apprenticeship and completing a work‑based project to support our end‑point assessment. We also complete off‑the‑job training, which directly supports our assignments and helps us apply our learning in a practical way.
Overall, the structure provides a good balance between guided learning, independent study and practical application, making it clear what is expected at each stage and helping me stay on track throughout the apprenticeship.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive a high level of support from my employer throughout my apprenticeship. I am allocated six hours of study time each week, which my manager supports as day release from my role, allowing me dedicated time to focus on my learning and assignments. This has been extremely helpful in keeping on top of my workload and maintaining a good balance between work and study.
My manager also regularly attends progress reviews with my training provider to monitor my development and discuss my progress. These reviews provide an opportunity to identify any areas where I may need additional support and ensure I am getting the most out of my programme. Overall, the support I receive has been instrumental in helping me stay engaged, organised and successful in my apprenticeship.
My manager also regularly attends progress reviews with my training provider to monitor my development and discuss my progress. These reviews provide an opportunity to identify any areas where I may need additional support and ensure I am getting the most out of my programme. Overall, the support I receive has been instrumental in helping me stay engaged, organised and successful in my apprenticeship.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I receive a high level of support from my training provider while working towards my qualifications. They are always on hand to answer any questions I have, and I typically receive a response within 24 hours, which helps me stay on track with my learning.
The feedback I receive on my work is detailed and constructive, clearly explaining what I have done well and where I can improve. My training provider is also supportive of reasonable adjustments, ensuring I have the right support in place to succeed throughout the apprenticeship.
Overall, their guidance and responsiveness have been a key part of my positive apprenticeship experience.
The feedback I receive on my work is detailed and constructive, clearly explaining what I have done well and where I can improve. My training provider is also supportive of reasonable adjustments, ensuring I have the right support in place to succeed throughout the apprenticeship.
Overall, their guidance and responsiveness have been a key part of my positive apprenticeship experience.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I feel that my qualification supports me very well in performing my role more effectively. The learning provided through my training provider is highly relevant and closely aligned to my day‑to‑day work within the Apprenticeship and Graduate Team.
The content of the qualification helps me build a deeper understanding of HR and early careers practices, which I can apply directly when developing and improving apprenticeship and graduate schemes. It has strengthened my confidence when contributing to discussions, supporting learners, and working with stakeholders, as I have a stronger theoretical foundation to support my practical experience.
The combination of structured learning, assignments and off‑the‑job training encourages me to reflect on my role and continuously improve how I work. Overall, the qualification has enhanced both my knowledge and capability, enabling me to add greater value in my role and perform my responsibilities more effectively.
The content of the qualification helps me build a deeper understanding of HR and early careers practices, which I can apply directly when developing and improving apprenticeship and graduate schemes. It has strengthened my confidence when contributing to discussions, supporting learners, and working with stakeholders, as I have a stronger theoretical foundation to support my practical experience.
The combination of structured learning, assignments and off‑the‑job training encourages me to reflect on my role and continuously improve how I work. Overall, the qualification has enhanced both my knowledge and capability, enabling me to add greater value in my role and perform my responsibilities more effectively.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
As my apprenticeship is mainly delivered virtually, there are fewer extra‑curricular or social activities.
We have two in‑person meet‑ups with our cohort during the apprenticeship. One takes place at the start of the apprenticeship as part of our induction, and the second takes place halfway through the scheme.
These sessions provide valuable opportunities to network with others on the apprenticeship, build relationships, share experiences and reflect on our progress together.
Although the apprenticeship is largely virtual, these cohort meet‑ups help create a sense of community and allow us to engage with peers outside of our usual working environment. Our apprentice coach also arranges bi-weekly virtual drop in sessions for anyone in our cohort to attend and ask questions, this creates a opportunity for shared learning.
We have two in‑person meet‑ups with our cohort during the apprenticeship. One takes place at the start of the apprenticeship as part of our induction, and the second takes place halfway through the scheme.
These sessions provide valuable opportunities to network with others on the apprenticeship, build relationships, share experiences and reflect on our progress together.
Although the apprenticeship is largely virtual, these cohort meet‑ups help create a sense of community and allow us to engage with peers outside of our usual working environment. Our apprentice coach also arranges bi-weekly virtual drop in sessions for anyone in our cohort to attend and ask questions, this creates a opportunity for shared learning.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Network Rail to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I’d recommend working at Network Rail because of the friendly, supportive colleagues and having a line manager who genuinely supports development. The company benefits, flexible and home‑working options, and focus on work–life balance make a real difference.
I’ve also had access to apprenticeship and development opportunities that allow me to gain recognised qualifications while working opportunities that would have cost me significantly if I’d gone to university.
I’ve also had access to apprenticeship and development opportunities that allow me to gain recognised qualifications while working opportunities that would have cost me significantly if I’d gone to university.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Network Rail?
My advice would be to just go for it. Don’t doubt yourself, Network Rail offers great support, development opportunities and a welcoming environment, so if you’re interested, apply and give it a try.
