Legal sector lands funding for 750 new apprenticeships

The legal sector has been granted almost £1 million of government funding to create 750 apprenticeships by March 2015. Pearson in Practice, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx), Damar Training and Skills for Justice will all play key roles in running the new programme, called the Legal Services Higher Apprenticeship.

The new apprenticeships are designed to respond to the increased demand for qualified paralegals and aim to allow young people to start a career in law without needing an expensive degree. The scheme will combine work-based learning with more traditional knowledge-based legal training.

Fiona McBride, chief executive of Pearson in Practice, said: "We welcome the government's continued emphasis on higher-level apprenticeships as a true and credible alternative to university education and are pleased to be able to bring this into the legal services sector. It reveals what we believe is a shift  in public opinion about the value of vocational learning and demonstrates a widespread understanding of the important role that apprenticeships play in setting young people on the path towards not just a job, but a sustainable and fulfilling career."