In 2016, a handful of law firms and in-house legal teams offered the first solicitor apprenticeships. Now, magic circle firms are embracing this way of training.
The move came a year after the introduction of the apprenticeship levy in 2015.
For those who don’t know, solicitor apprenticeships are six-year programmes, within which candidates work for their employers while studying for their fully funded law degree and Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), culminating in qualification as a solicitor.
Back in 2016, I was recruited as the first in-house solicitor apprentice at producer and broadcaster ITV, a role which came with expectation and influence, which I was happy to take on.
I am now in my final year of the six-year scheme, having graduated with a first-class law degree, and passed the very first sitting of the new SQE1 exams in January.
During this time, I’ve worked in five of ITV’s legal departments and undertaken a secondment within private practice. I have just a few months left of my apprenticeship, upon successful completion of which I will be within the first cohort of solicitor apprentices to qualify as solicitors.
This is all the more meaningful to me, being a state school educated first-generation university student, from a non-traditional background, seeing the struggles and disparities that those from a non-traditional backgrounds face.
The legal profession felt out of reach during my education, meaning that after completing my A-Levels, I thought I would need to give up my goal of qualifying as a solicitor, as I didn’t have the funds or financial support available to attend full time university, and I needed to enter the world of work.
However, the introduction of solicitor apprenticeships changed that, as I had the opportunity to gain my qualifications without any debt, earn a salary, build a personal brand and gain six years’ work experience before qualifying at a business that’s a household name. This is something I could only have dreamed of.
Reflecting on the last six years, having the opportunity to be one of the first to complete this new route to qualification and to have had the opportunity to pave the way for the future of the progression, I wouldn’t change any of my choices or experiences of this route.
I have had countless amazing opportunities, and I’ve been challenged and supported in a way that would not have been possible had solicitor apprenticeships not been implemented.
It has been a huge challenge, working and studying, while trying to maintain a sense of ‘normal’, but every second has been worth it. Not least since the SQE began in 2021, which was introduced in a bid to increase accessibility, diversity and social mobility within the legal profession.
The SQE has the potential to change the profession for the better, however it was very daunting to take the first set of SQE1 exams, especially as I didn’t know what to expect.
I’m looking forward to working with the various institutions involved to make necessary changes for the future, and to represent the current and future SQE students in focus groups.
It’s been an honour to encourage the next generation of lawyers to consider all of their options and to share the message that it doesn’t matter where you come from, or the background you have, this profession should be open to all.
My hope for the future is that the popularity of apprenticeships will continue to increase, leading to a more diverse, representative and inclusive profession.
The apprenticeship route has certainly worked for me and I will work throughout my career to encourage and improve the apprenticeship route to qualification.
Holly Moore is a solicitor apprentice at ITV
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