National Apprenticeship Week: Lance Mason and Clyde & Co LLP announce school-leaver schemes

As various providers and firms celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2014, two law firms confirm that they will launch legal apprenticeship schemes for school leavers.

Clyde & Co has revealed its plans to pilot an apprenticeship programme within its Manchester-based personal injury team. The 18-month scheme will include on-the-job learning, alongside studying for a law and practice programme delivered by CILEx Law School. The apprentices will work towards their advanced apprenticeship in legal services, focusing on the civil litigation pathway. 

HR director of Clyde, Charlie Keeling, said: "Clyde & Co is proud to support this Manchester-based initiative, which will offer the apprentices a unique level of business exposure at an early stage in their careers. We understand the need to recognise and recruit talent at a grassroots level and we believe that widening access to the legal profession is key to ensuring access to a greater pool of talent going forward."

Meanwhile, Blackburn firm Lance Mason has also announced its campaign for recruiting legal apprentices. The firm will offer eight A-level students the opportunity to complete their level 3 advanced apprenticeship in legal services. The investment in recruitment is part of a wider business plan to become a top 100 law firm, with a turnover of over £50million, over the next five years.

Nicola Goodman, learning and development manager at CILEx Law School, welcomed the news: "A legal apprenticeship not only offers employment, but a legal qualification which can also offer some exemptions to those learners who later wish to study for qualification as a chartered legal executive. The CILEx route, starting with a legal apprenticeship, is a very attractive pathway."

Read more about the legal apprenticeship routes in our dedicated More Law section.