People Professional Level 5 Apprenticeship

The Level 5 programme will develop your understanding of how effective people practice contributes to the success of organisational performance. You will apply your knowledge to people management issues within a range of organisational contexts, to develop your skills and confidence when advising on matters of law, policy and practice. You will also develop your analytical and consulting skills, preparing you for roles as HR Business Partner, People Manager, or similar.

On successful completion of the Level 5 People Professional apprenticeship, you will be awarded the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management. This will give you CIPD Associate Membership status, which enables you to use the letters ACIPD after your name, and is an indicator of your qualified professional status. Not only that, you will also receive the Level 5 People Professional apprentice qualification too. As a fully qualified Level 5 people professional apprentice, you will have the knowledge to effectively implement and influence strategic people management decisions on behalf of the organisation.

You may then want to consider studying with us for the Level 7 CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management; successful completion of which will make you eligible to apply for senior HR roles and to upgrade to chartered CIPD membership status, and progress to higher level people management roles.

‘I embarked on the Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship in September 2024. This led to an internal promotion from HR Administrator to People Advisor in January 2025. Over the course of my apprenticeship, I have developed a deeper and more strategic understanding of how effective people practices contribute to organisational success. I particularly enjoyed the Specialist Employment Law module and exploring how legislation underpins every aspect of the employee lifecycle.

Overall, the apprenticeship has not only enabled me to directly apply my learning in the workplace but has transformed both my capability and my confidence. I now operate as a credible People Professional who can contribute to strategic discussions, lead on people initiatives and support my organisation in achieving its goals. Studying with Blackburn College is one of the best decisions I have ever made and I cannot recommend them enough!’

Kirsty Morris, Level 5 People Professional Apprentice

The modules you will study as part of the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management are:

Organisational performance and culture in practice (5CO01)

This unit explores how organisations are designed and how they operate within an ever-changing commercial and digital environment. Learners will examine the link between organisational structure, culture and performance, and how external trends shape business strategy and workforce planning. The unit highlights the critical role of employee behaviour, well-being and organisational culture in successfully leading change and driving sustainable performance.

Evidence-based practice (5CO02)

This unit develops the skills needed to use data and evidence to inform sound professional judgement and decision making. Learners will explore how to gather and analyse robust quantitative and qualitative evidence, apply critical thinking, and evaluate information ethically. The unit also emphasises the importance of measuring the impact of people practice to demonstrate value and influence organisational outcomes.

Professional Behaviours and Valuing People

This unit focuses on the behaviours that underpin the practice of a people professional. Learners will explore how professional values such as ethical practice, courage, inclusivity and integrity build trust, strengthen working relationships and support employee voice and well-being. The unit considers how continuously developing professional behaviours enhances personal effectiveness and contributes to improved organisational performance.

Employment relationship Management (5HR01)

This unit examines how strong employment relationships are created and sustained. Learners will explore key approaches, tools and practices that support positive employee experiences and productive working lives. The unit highlights the strategic importance of effective relationship management and its direct impact on engagement, performance and organisational success.

Talent management and workforce planning (5HR02)

This unit focuses on how organisations attract, develop and retain the talent they need to meet current and future demands. Learners will examine workforce planning strategies, and effective recruitment and onboarding practices. The unit also considers the risks and costs of poor workforce planning and explores practical tools and interventions to minimise these risk

Reward for performance and contribution (5HR03)

This unit explores how reward strategies support organisational goals and motivate performance. Learners will examine the influence of internal and external factors on reward policies, including financial drivers and cost considerations. The unit highlights the role of people professionals in supporting managers to make fair, evidence-based reward decisions and demonstrates how effective reward practices reinforce performance and contribution.

Specialist Employment law (5OS01)

This unit provides an overview of key areas of employment law and the legal frameworks that shape people practice. Learners will explore how employment legislation applies in different situations and the responsibilities of people professionals to ensure legal compliance. The unit supports the development of confidence in applying legal principles to real-world workplace situations.

‘I particularly enjoyed the Specialist Employment Law module and exploring how legislation underpins every aspect of the employee lifecycle.’ Kirsty Morris, People Advisor (2026)

In year 2 of your apprenticeship, you will undertake an End Point Assessment (EPA)

The purpose of the End Point Assessment is to assess if the apprentice has met all the requirements of the apprenticeship standards and that they are occupationally competent in the role of People Partner.

To be successful at EPA, you will need to pass:

·         500 word presentation proposal then a 20 minute presentation on a work based project, plus Q+A

·         75 minute professional discussion based on your personal portfolio of evidence collated throughout your learning journey

·         The 5CO03 assignment

Your Tutor and employer will support you throughout your EPA journey

The Level 5 programme assumes that you already have a grounding in HR practice, and you would normally be required to have at least one of the following:

• A CIPD Level 3 qualification (or a level 3 qualification in a related field, such as ILM)
• A degree in a related field
• Relevant work experience at an appropriate level. 

If this is not the case, you can still talk to us about enrolment, however our Level 3 HR Support apprenticeship programme may be more appropriate for you.

Entry onto the programme would also be subject to employer approval following a discussion with a member of our apprenticeship team. This is to ensure that you will receive the support required from your employer for the duration of the programme.

Apprentices without Level 2 Maths and English will have the opportunity to achieve these prior to taking the End-Point Assessment, achievement of maths and English is no longer a requirement for those aged 19 and over.

Each of the 7 modules of the Associate Diploma in People Management is assessed via the submission of a written assignment. There are currently no examinations at Level 5.

The End Point Assessment consists of a project presentation and Q+A, based on a real example of work done by the apprentice in their role, and a 75 minute professional discussion based on an evidence portfolio. These EPA tasks are assessed by an external CIPD assessor.

Successful completion of this standard enables the apprentice to become a CIPD Associate Member (Assoc CIPD) and progress to higher level management roles:

CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management

When you start an apprenticeship with us, there’s no need to worry about the cost—apprenticeship fees and funding are covered by your employer, not you. This means you can focus fully on gaining valuable skills and experience without any financial burden.

For more information on apprenticeship funding/costs and any government support available, please contact our Apprenticeship Team on 01254 292500 or apprenticeships@blackburn.ac.uk