Welsh Apprenticeships in Legal Services

CILEX is proud to be supporting the delivery of the Welsh Apprenticeships in Legal Services, improving access to a career in law in Wales. From September 2022 apprentices will be able to enrol with training providers in Wales to take the relevant stage of the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) for Level 3 and Level 5 apprenticeships.

On completion, trainees will be able to progress further with CILEX, continuing with the CPQ and Professional Experience to become an authorised, specialist lawyer.

To be eligible to apply for the level 3 or level 5 apprenticeship, learners should not hold a higher-level legal qualification and must work at least 51% of their time in Wales.

How will CPQ be used to deliver apprenticeships in Legal Services?

• Apprentices enrolled on a Level 3 apprenticeship in Legal Services will study CPQ Foundation Stage.
• Apprentices enrolled on a Level 5 apprenticeship in Legal Services will study CPQ Advanced stage.

Entry to level 5 should be based on completion of the level 3 apprenticeship or evidence of coverage via alternative level 3 qualifications. Exemption requests will be processed on application to CILEX CPQ Foundation or CPQ Advanced stage.

How to get started?

Once approval from an employer has been received, an apprentice must first become a member of CILEX. This way we can support you through their professional qualification journey.

Studying an apprenticeship with CILEX gives you the opportunity to join a large and growing community of legal professionals – dynamic people with big ambitions and a desire to shape the legal sector for the future. Trainee members are able to connect, compare notes, share tips and support as they progress on the CPQ and apprenticeship journey.

Once a member of CILEX, apprentices should enrol with a CILEX approved training provider in Wales. The training providers for the Welsh apprenticeship are currently Brightlink and University of Wales Trinity St David’s. Guidance for employers, training providers, schools and parents can be found on the Welsh government’s website, Apprenticeship Guidance.

On completion and certification of the CPQ stage and apprenticeship, apprenticeship certification will be issued by the Federation for Industry Sector Skills and Standards (FISS).

What will I study?

CPQ is made up of taught and examined modules, Ethics and Professional Responsibility e-learning and Professional Experience – evidencing, with validation from the employer,  the competences outlined in the CILEX competency framework.

In addition, apprentices will study Essential Skills Wales (ESW) with their designated training provider.

Level 3 Paralegal & Level 5 Advanced Paralegal	Level
Communication	2
Application of Number	2
Digital Literacy	2