Legal Apprentice Case Study

JCP Solicitors recently re-opened applications to their Swansea-based Legal Apprenticeship programme, in preparation for a September 2024 start.

Offering apprenticeships to education leavers, career switchers and those re-entering the workplace, the training programme gives apprentices the chance to ‘earn while they learn’ and study for either a Level 2 in Business Administration, Level 3 to become an Advanced Paralegal, or a CILEX Level 3 Legal Apprenticeship to eventually qualify as a Solicitor.

Those studying the Level 3 path attend university for one day each week, putting theory into practice in the workplace throughout the rest of the week. Long-term, the programme takes around 8 years to complete and qualify as a Solicitor and is designed to support the legal minds of the future.

Carolina Galanti is a Legal Apprentice at JCP, having joined the Court of Protection team in September 2023 as part of the law firm’s first legal apprenticeship intake.

Speaking of her training, Carolina said: “I’d really encourage others to consider apprenticeships as it’s such a great way to see what you are learning in a practical sense and get the career you aspire to have, whilst avoiding large student loans.

“These days, employers seem to place a high value on experience, so I feel my apprenticeship will give me an advantage in the workplace. It’s very competitive to secure a legal training contract after university, and so getting into employment straight from school means I can begin my career and learn in a way that suits my hands-on, practical learning style.

“The team at JCP are so supportive and are always happy to answer questions and support my training. I’d encourage others to think about starting an apprenticeship at JCP – my friends are jealous of the experience and qualifications I’m getting, all while earning a salary!”

Jacqui Gower, COO at JCP Solicitors, said: “We are delighted to open our legal apprenticeship scheme for the second year running, as we see apprenticeships as a vital part of our recruitment and retention strategy. We’ve been employing business administration apprentices for more than 10 years now, with many who first joined us as apprentices now in senior positions within the business.

“We see more diverse applicants applying to legal apprenticeships compared with graduate training schemes, and this diversity strengthens our business in all areas. Our apprenticeship recruitment is viewed on par with our graduate trainee scheme: it is not a ‘plan B’ for us, it is a valuable route to find new talent and attract our solicitors of the future. We hope to see lots of new faces at the Open Evening, and we would encourage a work-based learning option to achieve legal career goals.”

To find out more about apprenticeships at JCP Solicitors, click here.

(Jacqui Gower, COO and Carolina Galanti, Legal Apprentice)