A solicitor apprenticeship lasts up to 6 years, with apprentices usually working four days a week with their chosen London law firm and attending university one day a week. This hybrid approach enables apprentices to gain valuable on-the-job experience while completing a fully funded law degree and the SQE.
How do you become a solicitor apprentice?
There are various apprenticeship routes depending on the role you wish to qualify for. It is important to select the one that best matches your aspirations and seek career advice if you are unsure where to start.
Some law firms, such as www.forsters.co.uk/, offer a wide range of graduate pathways, including training contracts, holiday schemes and apprenticeships. These allow students to identify the route that best suits their individual preferences, availability and ability.
What does an apprentice earn?
Most London law firms offer their apprentices a wage of between 21,480 and 33,000 pounds, although some enhance this offering with sign-on bonuses of up to 5,000 pounds to assist with the transition from student life to working life.
There are several major benefits of opting for an apprenticeship rather than studying purely at university, including earning while learning, incurring no student debt, and having a guaranteed job at the end of the apprenticeship. Students are also immersed into real life in a law firm from the start, thereby developing a good understanding of their future role and responsibilities and building a strong support network.
In short, apprentices earn more than just money. They earn respect, experience and a gateway into a long-term fulfilling career.