Apprenticeships will revolutionise paralegal career progression
updated on 31 January 2012
Paralegal work’s reputation for being a dead end to career advancement may soon be put to bed, as plans to implement formal qualifications and training opportunities for an advanced paralegal apprenticeship accelerate.
The scheme is being driven forward by powerful backers, with Skills for Justice and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) working together to implement the new apprenticeship across the profession. As reported in The Times, the scheme is also supported by organisations such as the Law Society, and top employers such as Eversheds, Kennedys and Field Fisher Waterhouse.
Skills for Justice is busy creating a framework of national occupational standards for the apprenticeship, designed to practically reflect the nature of paralegal work. These nationwide standards will prove essential if the apprenticeship is to be an effective route to career progression. The framework will combine study with training opportunities and work experience, and should be available to wannabe lawyers in Summer 2014. Current A-level leavers need not miss out though, with an interim solution allowing firms to put employees currently in the recruitment process through the apprenticeship when it becomes available.
Nick Skeet, director of Skills for Justice, said: "We believe this apprenticeship will be very popular with employers and apprentices alike."
