ULaw appoints former Skills for Justice chief executive as adviser on new apprenticeship scheme

The University of Law (ULaw) has appointed the former chief executive of Skills for Justice, Alan Woods, as an adviser on the development of its new apprenticeship programme.

Last month, ULaw announced its participation in the government's Trailblazer scheme to standardise apprenticeships across the professions and introduce more formalised, non-university-dependent routes into rewarding careers.

Skills for Justice is a Sector Skills Council licensed by the government to work with employers, with part of its remit being to act as the issuing authority for apprenticeships in the sectors it serves, so Woods' appointment to ULaw after seven years as Skills for Justice's chief executive means that he is particularly well placed to advise on the development of ULaw's new apprenticeship framework. In addition to his ULaw appointment, Woods will also assume the role of chair of Skills for Justice.

John Latham, ULaw's chief executive and provost, said: "We've signalled our intention to develop an apprenticeship offer for people who want an alternative route to becoming a solicitor and for other roles in the legal market. We are pleased to be working as part of the government's Trailblazer project for the legal profession. Alan's appointment as lead adviser on our development of a ULaw apprenticeship model is a key next stage for us, as we engage with employers and potential partners. He brings a wealth of knowledge to The University of Law and we are looking forward to working with him."