Colloide is a leading process engineering company with over 20 years of specialist expertise in water treatment, energy, environmental, and facilities solutions. Our services range from design through to construction, installation, commissioning, maintenance and overall project management. Our experience is wide-ranging, from major water utility installations and first-of-their-kind district heating schemes to cutting-edge environmental R&D. Based in NI, with head offices in Cookstown, production in Limavady and satellite offices across the UK.
At Colloide, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer careers where your contribution matters, your growth is supported, and the outlook is always positive and inclusive. With competitive salaries, a strong well-being programme, structured career development, hybrid working and flexible hours, a company pension, long service awards, and many more benefits, Colloide is a place where you can thrive.
This placement offers a motivated HR student the opportunity to gain broad, practical experience across a generalist HR function in a live engineering business environment. Working alongside our HR team, the successful candidate will contribute to the day-to-day delivery of HR services while developing skills in workforce administration, recruitment, employee lifecycle management, and HR systems. The role is designed to provide structured exposure to all key areas of HR practice, supported by regular supervision, monthly review meetings, and a structured six-month objective framework.
Key Responsibilities
HR Systems & Administration
* Maintain accurate employee records on the HR software system, ensuring timesheets are processed and updated in a timely manner.
* Record sickness absences, upload fit notes / sick lines, and ensure Return to Work (RTW) documentation is completed and filed correctly.
* Monitor absence data and produce basic reports to support the HR Manager in absence management reviews.
* Ensure all HR system data is current, accurate and compliant with GDPR and data protection obligations.
* Assist with the administration of annual leave, overtime recording, and shift pattern updates.
Recruitment & Onboarding
* Support the end-to-end recruitment process, including drafting job advertisements, coordinating interview schedules, and managing candidate communications.
* Assist with pre-employment checks including references, right-to-work verification, and DBS/AccessNI checks where applicable.
* Prepare onboarding documentation including offer letters, contracts, new starter packs, and induction schedules.
* Liaise with line managers to ensure new starters receive a structured and welcoming induction experience across all sites.
* Maintain and update the recruitment tracker and applicant records.
Employee Lifecycle Administration
* Draft and issue standard HR correspondence including letters of appointment, probationary review outcomes, contract variations, and general employee communications.
* Support the probationary review process by preparing documentation, tracking review dates, and following up with line managers.
* Assist with offboarding processes including leaver administration, exit interview coordination, and ensuring final pay and benefits records are accurate and complete.
* Maintain up-to-date personnel files in both electronic and paper format, ensuring compliance with retention schedules.
General HR Support
* Respond to routine employee and manager queries, escalating complex matters to the HR Manager or HR Officer.
* Support the delivery of HR projects as directed, including policy reviews, staff surveys, and compliance audits.
* Attend and minute HR and management meetings where required.
* Assist with the preparation of HR reports, metrics, and management information.
* Contribute to continuous improvement of HR processes, templates, systems and any other relevant duties.
Essential Criteria
* Currently studying towards a degree in Human Resources Management, with a recognised university placement year as part of the programme.
* Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* High attention to detail and accuracy, particularly in handling employee data and correspondence.
* Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, and Outlook.
* Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with appropriate discretion.
* A proactive, positive attitude and genuine interest in developing a career in HR.
Desirable Criteria
* Previous work experience in an HR, administrative, or customer-facing environment.
* Familiarity with HR information systems or databases.
* Awareness of employment law principles (particularly UK/NI context).
* Experience of preparing business documents, letters, or correspondence.
* Interest in the engineering, manufacturing, or industrial sector.
Personal Attributes
* Professional, approachable, and team-oriented.
* Self-motivated with the ability to work independently when required.
* Adaptable and comfortable working across a multi-site organisation.
* Committed to continuous learning and reflective practice throughout the placement year.
What we offer you:
* TOIL & paid OT
* Length of service awards
* Employee perks card
* Pension
* Employee health card
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