It is National Apprenticeship week, 5^th – 11^th Feb and we are keen to highlight the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals and businesses.

At Banner Jones Solicitors, we currently have 2 Solicitor apprentices training within our various legal departments. There are many routes into the legal profession and legal apprenticeships are one of them.

Meet Claudia – Apprentice Solicitor

Claudia is undertaking a 6-year Solicitor apprenticeship with us, spending one day per week at Nottingham Law School at Nottingham Trent University. Claudia joined us as a school leaver in 2023 and will get the opportunity to work across many of our legal departments over the years of her study, gaining experience in a working environment and finding out which areas of law she enjoys the most whilst working towards her qualification.

Claudia’s explains her reasons for starting an apprenticeship, “I researched the option to study Law through a degree apprenticeship whilst in the sixth form, having looked at different universities and their degree courses. To me there were many benefits to the apprenticeship route, and I felt it very much suited how I like to learn and my circumstances.

Gaining practical, ‘real world’ experiences every day whilst working alongside professionals is invaluable. As a Law apprentice I am learning all the time from others at work; deepening my knowledge and improving the essential skills I need related to the job.  The blended learning style suits me better as I am a more practical, hands-on person and I wouldn’t learn as well just listening to lectures. Being in the office and learning as I go whilst doing one day a week of university works better for me. I also wanted to stay in Chesterfield, so I am very lucky to have been offered a degree apprenticeship with Banner Jones and am very thankful for their daily support and the opportunity I have with them”.

Meet Tim – Apprentice Solicitor

Tim has commenced a 2-year Trainee Solicitor Apprenticeship with Banner Jones and begins studying for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), following which he will be a fully qualified solicitor. Tim works alongside Head of Business Legal Services, Andrew Fielder, to support with both commercial property and corporate work. Tim also uses his specialist knowledge of residential property matters to work on leasehold enfranchisement claims for landlords and tenants.

One of the key benefits for doing an apprenticeship, in Tim’s opinion, is that the study hours are included within his working day. Tim confirmed “I don’t think I would be able to deal with working evenings and weekends to keep up with my studies due to other responsibilities in my life”.

Commenting on Tim’s Trainee Solicitor Apprenticeship, Andrew Fielder said it was “indicative of the firm’s commitment to investing in talent”, adding: “as a firm, we see the huge value in company-funded training to enable our employees to achieve their ambitions”.

Simon Wright, CEO, commented “For us, as a business, apprenticeships allow us to build a sustainable talent pipeline and develop the apprentices’ skills around our business needs. They go on to understand our business and clients as well as our specific aims and ethos. Our apprentices bring new ideas and different perspectives to our legal departments, alongside their energy and motivation. In addition, the standard of training is very high, meaning that, on qualification, we will have a high calibre Solicitor ready to go!”. He added “Our trainees and apprentices are an integral part of our future, and we wish them every success moving forward with their studies.”

HR Manager, Lisa Gill, said of the apprenticeship programme “The high-quality training we offer, not only aligns with the company’s mission and core values in ensuring consistent development of our colleagues to fulfil their potential to achieve formal qualifications, but also ensures the company continues to make a difference by consistently delivering a first class service to our clients.  We value our colleagues and clients and will continue to work hard to develop and encourage our colleagues to realise their career aspirations through knowledge, qualifications, integrity and determination and thereby achieve the best outcome for both colleagues and clients in the delivery of services”.

If you would like to speak to us about Solicitor Apprenticeships, please contact humanresources@bannerjones.co.uk

Find out more about Careers in Law.

You can find out more about apprenticeships in Chesterfield here - Apprenticeships in Chesterfield - Destination Chesterfield | Destination Chesterfield

Read about other apprentices in the town - 5 reasons to hire an apprentice - Destination Chesterfield | Destination Chesterfield