At Ellisons we are always looking at new ways we can provide opportunities within the firm. We are now offering the Solicitor Apprenticeship route to qualification as a Solicitor.
This new Apprenticeship is open to anyone who has a minimum of 3 A-Levels (128 UCAS points) and at least five GCSE’s at grade C (or 4) or above including English and Mathematics (or equivalent).
The Apprenticeship takes 6 years to complete and is split into 2 parts. Successful candidates will first complete a 2-year Paralegal qualification. If both parties agree, this will then progress on to a 4-year Solicitor Apprenticeship. Successful completion of the full 6-year Apprenticeship will award the Apprentice an LLB (Hons) Law and Legal Practice and will allow the individual to practice as a Solicitor.
The successful candidate will be assigned to work in one of our Legal Departments and will likely remain in that department for the majority of the Apprenticeship. We place Apprentices in departments based on business needs but do consider the preferences of the individual and will try to accommodate any requests where possible. The location of work will be agreed prior to joining; however, you may be asked to attend other offices as needed.
The application process for 2023 is now closed.
Overview of work
The Solicitor Apprenticeship is a full-time role. Apprentices will complete study modules set by the Training Provider BPP and will utilise the skills they are learning in their day-to-day work.
Apprentices spend 20% of their contracted working hours on learning the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours. This development time may include learning new relevant tasks in your role, embedding the knowledge you learn, spending development time with your Line Manager, attending online or face-to-face courses and writing assignments or directed self-study hours.
The first 6 months of the Apprenticeship will be a steep learning curve. A successful Apprentice will need to understand how to conduct themselves in a professional environment whilst learning key skills such as time management and organisational skills.
At the start of the Apprenticeship, you are likely to work closely with Secretaries and Administration Assistants to learn the key processes of the department and the firm as a whole. Once mastered, the Apprentice will then move onto working with Paralegals and Trainee Solicitors within the department and will conduct work such as research, drafting and general assistance that is required by the Fee Earners in the department.
As the Apprenticeship progresses into years 4-6 they will work more closely with our Fee Earners and varying different degrees of client work will be handed over to the Apprentice to complete.
Available Support
Support will be available from the Ellisons Training Team which is made up of 2 of Ellisons Partners and the Learning & Development Manager. Your direct Line Manager and Head of Department will also take an active role in supporting you along with the team you work within.
You will have regular meetings with members of the Ellisons Training Team to ensure you are settling in and getting the most out of the Apprenticeship and they will be on hand to answer any questions you have.
Each Apprentice will receive an Induction into Ellisons, which will be conducted over a number of weeks and new Apprentices will spend time in various Business Support departments such as Front Office, Compliance and Reception so they have a full understanding of the firm before they join their legal departments.
We constantly review our structured training programmes to offer the best quality training available. We also offer additional technical IT Skills training and People Skills courses which are available to everyone working at Ellisons.
BPP will also assign Apprentices with a personal tutor who will be on hand to provide 1-1 support and guide the individual through the Apprenticeship.
Full Details of the Qualification are below
| Solicitor Level 7 Apprenticeship | |
| Training Provider: | BPP |
| Recognised Qualification: | LLB (Hons) Law and Legal Practice awarded by BPP University |
| Entry requirements: | A minimum of 3 A-Levels (128 UCAS points) and Five GCSEs at grade C (or 4) or above including English and Mathematics (or equivalent) |
| Duration: | 2 Year Paralegal Apprenticeship. You can find more information on Paralegal (Cert HE) Level 3 Learning Plan here.
4 Year Solicitor Apprenticeship. You can find more information on Solicitor Level 7 Learning Plan here. |
| Course Details:
|
The apprenticeship is split into 2 parts, a 2-year paralegal apprenticeship, and, if agreed by both sides, they can continue on to complete the 4 final years of the Solicitor Apprenticeship. |
| Delivery: | Blended learning including webinars, 1-2-1 coaching and face to face tutorials. 1 week per term there is a skills week in London. At the end of the apprenticeship the SQE1 and SQ2 end point assessments will be conducted in line with the changes to the traditional route be becoming a NQ Solicitor. |
| Commitment: | During the programme, 20% of your contracted working hours will be spent on learning and developing the required knowledge, skills and behaviours. This development time may include learning new relevant tasks in your role, embedding your knowledge in your role, practical workplace training, spending development time with your Line Manager, attending online or face-to-face courses and time spent writing assignments or directed self-study hours. |