Higher Apprenticeship in Legal Studies in Wales Gains Government Support

11 Dec 2013

The new Higher Apprenticeship scheme in Wales, currently in its pilot year, will receive support from the Welsh government. It will allow its apprentices to work and study to become a paralegal – a role which can have many similarities with those of a solicitor!

There are 30 apprentices and eight law firms involved with the pilot scheme. Confirmation of government support means that Wales now has its first ever Higher Apprenticeship in Legal Services. The Level 4 scheme, which is the equivalent of the first year of an undergraduate degree, has been developed by Skills for Justice in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) and sector employers.

School leavers on the scheme are able to specialise in either commercial litigation, debt recovery and insolvency or personal injury through the apprenticeship. Completion of the Apprenticeship will set participants up to pursue careers as paralegals in law firms.

Skills for Justice Programme Lead Alison Merrifield said: “I am delighted that Welsh Government will be supporting the delivery of the Higher Apprenticeship in Legal Services following the success of the pilot programme to date. This funding will ensure that an alternative route to a law career is available within Wales for years to come.”

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