Manchester Law School welcomes first cohort of apprentices

Manchester Law School (MLS), part of Manchester Metropolitan University, has accepted the first students onto its alternative training route. In partnership with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) Law School, MLS is delivering study sessions to students who have been recruited as apprentices by law firms in the North West.

The legal apprenticeship scheme was launched in July 2013, with 31 students securing places to date. Both national and regional firms have signed up to train the apprentices, including Pannone, Weightmans and Hill Dickinson. The programme has been initiated by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, with funding provided through the Employer Ownership of Skills scheme.

Maddie Marshall, who has been accepted by the Law School, expressed her excitement at the opportunity: "It gives you the chance to gain hands-on experience with a law firm while also getting your qualifications at the same time." Olivia Hayes, another prospective apprentice, added: "It combines the two pathways of work experience and study, especially as it feels like there are not many training contracts and jobs at the moment. This definitely seemed like a better route."

Students will earn a salary of £12,000 as they work towards technical and competence qualifications awarded by CILEx. Jenny Pelling, Business Director at CILEx Law School, commented that "there's considerable momentum now in the legal sector around apprenticeships. This CILEx Level 3 Apprenticeship is proving ideal for both school leavers, who are deciding to get straight into the workplace, and for firms who are tapping into a pool of talented young people."

Read more about legal apprenticeships and CILEx in the More Law section on LawCareers.Net.