Legal apprenticeships set to be standardised by sector

04 March 2014

Today, during National Apprenticeship Week, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) announced that it is part of the Government’s Phase 2 Trailblazer project which will standardise legal apprenticeships across the entire legal sector. The Trailblazer model will become the industry standard for any legal apprenticeship.

Trailblazers put employers and professional bodies in the driving seat to create new apprenticeship standards that will deliver the skills businesses and learners need to compete in the global race.

CILEx is the awarding body for the Level 3 Advanced and Level 4 Higher Apprenticeships in Legal Services which were successfully launched last year.

In addition to CILEx, the Trailblazer for legal apprenticeships comprises a number of organisations including law firms Kennedys, Addleshaw Goddard and DAC Beachcroft, who already employ Apprentices in Legal Services.

Diane Burleigh OBE (pictured), Chief Executive of CILEx said: “Being part of the Trailblazer project means that CILEx can ensure legal apprenticeships across the board meet the standards required for learners to become first-class legal professionals. CILEx has provided an apprenticeship-style route into law for more than 50 years and with the launch of our Apprenticeships in Legal Services we are fully equipped and committed to setting these industry standards.”

Matthew Hancock, Skills and Enterprise Minister said: “National Apprenticeship Week is designed to celebrate Apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy. We want to see Apprenticeships become the new norm for all ambitious young people and employers who are dedicated to growing their own talent and increasing the skills base of the nation. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this Trailblazer for their commitment to Apprenticeships and Traineeships.”

In a speech Prime Minister David Cameron gave today outlining the Government’s long-term economic plan for Britain, he said: “New, more rigorous, employer-led apprenticeships are being extended to 29 new occupations from law and high tech engineering to tourism and retail, giving thousands of young people the chance to develop new skills that will help secure their future.”

The new, standardised legal apprenticeships will be:

• employer-led and designed to respond to the needs of industry, meaning each apprentice has the skills required by the sector
• focussed on quality so the apprentice has to demonstrate their ability through rigorous assessment at the end of their apprenticeship
• graded on completion – pass, merit or distinction – to mark the level of achievement

ENDS