New Apprenticeship Scheme Boost For Young Leeds Legal Talent

Local News

A NEW apprenticeship scheme is set to give Leeds’ fledgling legal eagles the chance to launch their careers with some of the city’s prestigious law firms.

The Leeds Legal Apprenticeship Scheme has seen Leeds City Council team up with BPP Professional Education and the Financial and Business Services network in a bid to give talented young people a chance to learn on the job from top legal professionals.

[private]The scheme was launched at an event in Leeds which was attended by local companies, training providers and young apprentices.

Among them was 20-year-old Holly Buxton, who is almost two years into her apprenticeship with Leeds-based Gordons LLP and who spoke at the launch.

Apprentice legal executive Holly said she hoped the scheme would see more local firms giving young people an alternative way into the industry.

She said: “When I finished my A Levels, I knew I wanted to go into law and I’d applied to university and got my offers.

“But when I found out I could do an apprenticeship and start with a firm straight away, I knew that was exactly what I was looking for.

“Instead of spending years in lectures, I was straight in at the deep end, getting real, practical experience working on some big projects and there’s no way I would be doing the work that I’m doing now if I hadn’t done an apprenticeship.”

She added: “When people think of apprenticeships, they probably don’t usually think you can do them in professional or legal jobs like mine.

“But this is a great alternative way of getting into the industry and getting the same level of qualifications while you’re actually working.

“It’s done wonders for my confidence and I hope this scheme gives more people like me a chance to do the same.”

The Legal Apprenticeship Scheme will help other local law firms establish their own apprenticeship programmes then help them to recruit and train young people through different levels of legal qualifications.

Leeds is the country’s largest legal centre outside London and last year 36 per cent of the city’s 6,850 apprenticeships were in business administration and law.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive member for digital and creative technologies, culture and skills, said:

“Leeds is one of the cornerstones of the country’s legal profession, so it’s more important than ever that we have everything we need in place to attract and retain the best talent within that sector.

“This new apprenticeship scheme will give more of our talented young people the opportunity to realise their ambitions and learn the skills they need to take their place alongside the city’s top legal professionals.”

She added: “The traditional perception of apprenticeships is a thing of the past in Leeds.

“Apprenticeships are now a genuine, practical and hugely beneficial route into professional industries and a real opportunity for young people taking their first steps into some exciting and prestigious careers.”

For more details about the Leeds Legal Apprenticeship Scheme, contact Joanna Preston-Taylor at BPP Law School at joannapreston-taylor@bpp.com or Nick Hart at the Leeds Apprenticeship Hub at Nicholas.Hart@leeds.gov.uk.[/private]

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