SRA publishes report on WBL pilot
updated on 03 June 2011
The SRA has published a report on the results of its work-based learning (WBL) pilot, which began in September 2008.
The two-year pilot looked at different ways of assessing competence in trainees and paralegals. It aimed ultimately to develop a consistent and reliable method of assessment, and to test a different route to qualification which did not depend on the candidate securing a training contract.
The report, produced by the Institute for Work Based Learning at Middlesex University, found the pilot had been successful in its approach to assuring quality. The report made a number of recommendations, including further work setting out the skills and attributes for qualifying as a solicitor, and an articulation of the learning outcomes.
Dr. Susan Bews, chair of the SRA's Education and Training Committee, said: "The WBL pilot has been extremely valuable and we are very grateful to those firms and trainees who took part in the exercise... There are two continuing strands to the pilot involving paralegals and the combined route where a single provider is responsible for the law degree, LPC and assessment, which will be finalised in 2012."
The findings of the report and the pilot will be fed into the legal education review, currently ongoing (see "Legal regulators combine on education review"). For more on WBL, see our feature, "Working it out with WBL".
