Staffordshire Law Department have launched a new route to qualifying in Law – a Higher Apprenticeship leading to Chartered Legal Apprenticeship status. The programme will combine work with study, giving aspiring lawyers a fantastic start to their careers.
The programme takes 5 years for someone with Level 2 qualifications, or a shortened route of 3 years for someone with an prior Law Degree. The apprentice would be employed full time in a paid postiton with an employer. They then study part time to achieve the Chartered Legal Executive status. This also requires a period of qualifying work experience, so being employed whilst you learn achieves that. The other advantage is there is no debt, the programme is 90% government funded with 10% (approx. £220 per annum) being paid by the employer.
Chartered Legal Executive is a well respected qualification in its own right. However there are fantastic progression opportunities. A top up Law degree is being developed to enable Apprentices without a Law Degree to achieve one. Someome with a Law Degree and Chartered Legal Executive status can then undertake a Legal Practice Course and become qualified as a Solicitor without the need for a training contract. This removes what many students see as the biggest risk when training in Law.
The Law Department launched the Scheme on April 5th at a lunchtime networking event. Several large firms attended with others expressing an interest although they were unable to come on the day. So far 7 of those firms have booked further appointments to investigate the prospect of employing Chartered Legal Executive Apprentices.
The firms were attracted to the idea of offering posts with robust training packages attached, which they felt would appeal to stronger candidates. They were all pleased to hear that there is generous funding available for that training, and that salaries can be set to reflect the investment they are making in the apprentice as an employee.
Staffordshire Law Department has substantial experience of delivering blended learning programmes. The Legal Practice Course has been available this way for many years, and it is looking forward to drawing on that experience to provide a high quality apprenticeship experience for apprentices and employers alike.