Legal Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are an arrangement in which someone learns and trains whilst working. Since 2016, a number of organisations including Law Firms launched legal apprenticeships programmes. Doing a legal apprenticeship would help one avoid the increasingly expensive costs which may be associated with university degrees. Going through this route, the candidate will not have to pay for the training or study but will be paid a salary throughout the scheme. Legal apprenticeships are meant to have the same standards as those that choose traditional routes.

This article will focus its discussions on general legal apprenticeships with the main focus on apprenticeships which could be used to qualify as a legal secretary.

Who can apply?

The requirements of a legal apprenticeship are generally

• 5 GCSEs at grade A-C / 7-4 (including Maths and English) But it is important to note that this can vary based on the employer.

Salary?

Legal apprenticeships candidates are paid between £11,000 - £19,000 depending on the location, form, and level of apprenticeships. 

Types of Legal Apprenticeships?

If someone is looking forward to getting into the legal sector after Year 13 then they could choose the paralegal, solicitor to business administration apprenticeships. However, if someone is looking to change career paths to a legal one then they could choose the Chartered Legal Executive Apprenticeship. 

There are multiple legal apprenticeship routes
one could choose, which are:-

• Legal Secretary/Business Administration Apprenticeships are a great way to gain experience as a secretary if one would like to become a Legal Secretary: One could study for qualification relating to business administration or specific knowledge and skills needed for a legal secretarial work. Under these qualifications related to business administrations, one may be awarded with either a level 1-4 qualification in business administration or a technical certificate level 2-3 in business administration. 
• Paralegal Apprenticeships: This apprenticeship involves a hands-on approach with the required academic knowledge that is required to be a successful paralegal. Attention to detail along with required communication skills and managing pressure in a busy environment should be the main attributes that are part of this role. This apprenticeship is mainly for those who are looking forward to becoming a paralegal, junior fee earner, legal administrator or a legal secretary.
• Chartered Legal Executive Apprenticeship: A 5-year course, level six apprenticeship that includes academic study along with vocational training. This apprenticeship is for those who already have studied law and have some experience in the field. It is not recommended for students straight after leaving school and hence apprentices need to have either completed a law degree or a conversion course or a level 3 professional diploma in law and practice in order to be enrolled for this apprentice. It is ideal for those who are still weighing their options and deciding if they would like to proceed with a legal career.
• Solicitor Apprenticeship: A solicitor apprenticeship is a six-year, level 7 programme which is aimed at post A level students. This scheme would cover all the contents that is normally taught in a law degree. Once one completed the apprenticeship, one would need to pass the bar through the new SQE route to qualify as a solicitor.

Which law firms offer legal apprenticeships?

Many firms such as Addleshaw Goddard, Browne Jacobson, Dentons, DWF, Irwin Mitchell etc offer legal apprenticeships for the aspirants and one could easily become a legal secretary by doing one of the apprenticeships noted above through any of the top apprenticeships’ provider.

The above is the information about the legal apprenticeship route. One can have a look at thelegists.co.uk for current opportunities on apprenticeships vacancies. One could try to filter out the salary details, location etc to find out the best suitable apprenticeships. The applicants may be required to have an up-to-date CV and a cover letter. The Legists services such as CV Check or how to gain a job without previous job work experience to help you give a push towards your journey of achieving your dreams.