Annabelle Chapman shares her experience of her HR apprenticeship

Please explain your role at Sanger Institute

As a HR apprentice, I rotate around each HR function, providing administration support, assisting with HR led project work, manage and assist with events and learning programmes as well as building relationships with managers and staff across the organisation. I also provide support to each team when needed and make sure that I am developing an understanding of HR process, systems and policies to help my own career and development.

Please explain your apprenticeship

I rotate round HR Services, HR Business Partnering, Recruitment and Learning and Engagement. During my apprenticeship, I get a monthly visit from my tutor who looks through the work I have done from the past month, go through any new learning and sets new tasks to be completed for the next visit. In order to do this work, I get one day per week dedicated to working on my apprenticeship. The type of work is around HR legislation and functions, professional discussions and reflective accounts on my experience.

Why did you choose Sanger Institute?

I chose the Sanger Institute as it looked like an amazing place to work. The campus is modern and vast as well as having a diverse range of employees working across the campus. It also offers a range of benefits including an onsite gym and a sports and social club. I get the chance to learn something new every day and grow my own career. Sanger Institute is a great place to work as well as being very welcoming.

You’ve been here over a year, how’s it going?

It is going so well, I am given so many opportunities to get involved in a wide variety of projects, meet a wide range of people across campus and get to know the whole HR team who are amazing!

Can you tell about some of the work you have been doing?

I have been involved in lots of different projects over the past year. For example, I created a HR team newsletter, I created two new policies that will be rolled out institute wide, I organised fundraising events for our charities that we support and I am part of the Great Place to Work Action Plan to help implement improvements and new strategies to HR.

Best thing so far about working at Sanger Institute?

The best thing so far about working at the Sanger Institute is the opportunity to grow your career. You can get involved in so much and decide what is best for you. Another great thing is working within a team. The HR team is a close-knit team that works closely together to maintain the smooth running of the institute and make sure that employees are happy.