Hannah Baister – Level 5 Human Resources Apprenticeship

Name: Hannah Baister

Course Name: Level 5 Human Resources Apprenticeship

Course Type: Apprenticeship

Image Caption: NWSLC Human Resources level 5 Apprenticeship student Hannah Baister

HR professional Hannah is pleased to be enjoying life with her new baby after one of the most challenging and busy years in her career to date. During 2020, people services team leader Hannah achieved her Level 5 CIPD qualification, completed an apprenticeship, and managed the challenge of new payroll procedures when all 4,000 staff at book and stationery retailer, The Works were put on furlough.

Hannah started her career in HR with Holland & Barrett, gaining promotion from training administrator to team leader, and moved on to join The Works three years ago. Based at head office in Coleshill, Hannah was keen to add professional HR qualifications to her portfolio having completed A Levels at school. She started her Level 5 qualification in September 2018 attending classroom sessions one evening a week at the college’s Nuneaton Campus while also following an apprenticeship standard.

Hannah said, “Studying in the evening after work was pretty challenging but I really enjoyed the course, and it was fascinating to meet people working in different sectors to see how they were tackling similar issues. The tutors were really supportive, and I was determined to pass my qualification and demonstrate how much I have learned during my career.

“When the coronavirus lockdown suddenly struck, our 500+ stores were immediately closed, and our teams were put on furlough. I was faced with the challenge of managing the process for making sure that they all continued to get paid and I kept working throughout during what was one of the busiest working periods I have ever experienced. This was challenging to manage while being pregnant and also studying but I was determined to complete my qualifications before I went on maternity leave in the summer.”
Hannah was able to access support to fund her qualification through her employer’s Apprenticeship Levy. She said, “I would definitely recommend this route to getting qualified while also working at the same time. The Levy is a great way for employers to support their teams and I am keen to move on to gain a further qualification at the same level in payroll. I am hoping that all my lockdown experience will stand me in good stead for that.”

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