Sustainable careers: how to approach the apprenticeship route

In 2011 a group of seven school leavers, some with GCSEs and some with A’ levels, joined Plexus Law as apprentices. Ten years later, four of them remain with us.

During this time, our apprentices developed knowledge and skills and have become a valuable part of the Plexus team. Some of the original cohort will be among the first in the country to qualify via the solicitor apprenticeship route and I predict there may be future partner material developing.

We currently have 28 solicitor apprentices working in fee-earning teams across the country and we’re proud of their achievements. However, a career as a solicitor is not for all; many of our apprentices are developing careers as legal assistants and specialising in other areas. The foundation level paralegal apprenticeship has enabled this.

All our apprentices, together with a dedicated team of HR and talent professionals and direct supervisors have made positive contributions to our successful programme.

We faced several challenges in the early days of running apprenticeship programmes and we’ve learned much and adapted our working practices. The key word is support.

Initially, the perception both internally and externally was that apprenticeships were not recognised as an appropriate path to qualification. We have worked closely with schools, colleges and parents to overcome this perception.

As our programme has grown, the apprentices have become strong advocates for their chosen route. We have apprentices who are first in their family to study at degree level and, in some instances, at A’ level.

Bethany Anderson, one of our solicitor apprentices, chose the apprenticeship option over full-time university. She says: “I wanted to continue living at home and to earn some money and become financially independent. I had applied for university, received five offers plus an unconditional offer from Manchester and all my friends went to uni, but I felt it wasn’t for me. It would have been easy to follow the crowd but I decided to do what I really felt was right.”

Bethany also sums up what successful apprenticeship can bring to a firm: “I think we bring energy to the firm and help to change the stereotypical view of a lawyer, given the diverse backgrounds which we all have. We help to challenge the traditional mindsets and reinforce the idea that the face of law is changing.”

So what are our tops tips for success?

Take a different approach to selection – We look for resilience and determination, not pure academics. The programme should be about widening access and, in some instances, bringing opportunities to people who may not have even thought about studying at degree level.

Communicate the challenge at the outset – Undertaking a degree level apprenticeship is not an easier option. It requires discipline and dedication to work and study

Develop a strong relationship with your providers – Getting involved in feedback to influence programme development has also been key. Delivering an apprenticeship requires a partnership between the apprentice, the employer and the provider.