September marks a landmark month for legal education as schools and colleges prepare to teach a new post-GCSE vocational course in legal services.

As the Gazette revealed in June, T Levels, which were launched in 2020 for students in England to prepare them for skilled employment, become available for legal services this autumn.

The two-year course includes a minimum nine-week industry placement. The Department for Education was unable to confirm how many law firms have signed up to provide an industry placement.

However, a DfE spokesperson said: 'We want to broaden access to prestigious career paths like law, whilst ensuring that talented young people entering the legal profession have hands on experience and a real understanding of the sector. T Levels are a great way for students to climb the ladder of opportunity towards a successful career, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and adaptability needed to thrive in the workplace.

'Industry placements give businesses the opportunity to nurture talent from the ground up, shaping individuals who not only possess the right skills but also align with their company's values and culture. By establishing strong ties between schools, colleges and employers, we are laying the foundation for a skilled and versatile workforce ready to tackle the problems of tomorrow.'

Further up the training ladder, hundreds of students who sat the first part of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination in July should know by now if they passed. Results were emailed to candidates yesterday. The statistical report will be published later this month, when attention will focus on not just the overall pass rate but any disparities between different ethnic groups, which have raised questions about the utility of SQE in boosting diversity.