Emma Richardson’s Post

Not much could make me want to do a video post on LinkedIn. But the potential removal of Level 7 funding from solicitor apprenticeships does... I believe so strongly in the principles behind the Government’s excellent ‘Opportunity Mission’ and 'Youth Guarantee' that I gave up my 25-year legal career to be a full-time advocate for solicitor apprenticeships, due to their unique ability to break the link between a young person’s background and future success. On the train to yesterday's UCAS Apprenticeship Stakeholder Group Meeting, I was reading the draft report by the Bridge Group, a non-profit consultancy that uses research to promote social equality, following their analysis of responses from 213 solicitor apprentices working at City Century law firms. 🌟 Their findings show a system that is working to give direct access to qualification as a solicitor to a diverse population of school leavers 🌟 Reading this draft Report should have made me happy. BUT It made me sad all over again that the removal of Government funding from the 6-year solicitor apprenticeship may give the wrong impression to high-achieving students from low socio-economic backgrounds that the Government doesn't back this route to qualification. I know this isn't the case. You know this isn't the case. WE know it is simply a case of redirection of funds. BUT Removal of funding may suggest to low SEB students and their parents, carers and teachers that the apprenticeship route is in fact a bit 'risky'. See relevant recent academic research (link in comments). We may scare off the very students who we have tried so hard to reach with our parity of esteem message. It genuinely breaks my heart. 🌟 Let's end on a high note though 🌟 Below is a sneak preview of some of the findings of the Bridge Group Report. City Century law firms will receive the full Bridge Group Report in the December City Century newsletter, once the Report is finalised. Nearly two-thirds of solicitor apprentices responding were in their first or second year. The remaining third were divided across the other four cohorts. Nearly two-thirds of respondents are based in an office within Greater London, with over one-third (39%) based in another UK region. ✅ Even though respondents were across all six years of the solicitor apprenticeships, 98% were aged between 18-24 years of age Responses from solicitor apprentices were very positive in indicating that: ✅ the role of solicitor apprentice is respected and appropriately supported by colleagues. ✅ solicitor apprentices feel positively about progressing to a career with their current employer and are aware of opportunities. I am pleased that it seems to be working so far. And I know lots of people reading this feel the same way. #SkillsEngland #SkillsForLife #SolicitorApprenticeships Jacqui Smith Kate Ridley-Pepper

🚨 We understand that you have ONE MORE WEEK to express your views on the proposed removal of Level 7 apprenticeship funding - until next Friday 🚨 One City Century law firm has received this email from the Growth & Skills Levy Strategy & Engagement Team at the Department for Education 👇🏽 "The deadline for submitting evidence on Level 7 funding via this inbox is Friday 13th December 24" The email is: level7.APPRENTICESHIPS@education.gov.uk So please do express your view. Our view? ❗ We agree with former President of The Law Society, I. Stephanie Boyce FKC, FRSA, that redirecting ALL Government funding away from Level 7 apprenticeships towards lower level apprenticeships LIMITS ASPIRATION. ❗ It potentially sends out the message to high-achieving Year 12 and Year 13 students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, which our City Century community of law firms is successfully reaching and encouraging, that Government doesn't back their desire to go straight from school onto a Level 7 apprenticeship in order to qualify as a solicitor. ❗ Experienced professionals may understand nuances around sources of funding, but to a Year 12 or Year 13 student it might well look like the Government just doesn't rate solicitor apprenticeships enough to fund them. ❗ But we have important evidence now from the Bridge Group, a non-profit consultancy that uses research to promote social equality, that Level 7 solicitor apprenticeships are successful in widening access to the legal profession, including top City law firms. The Bridge Group data confirms the indicative data on DEI from a wider BPP survey carried out by BPP for City Century which we shared with the Department for Education in October. A total of 213 solicitor apprentices from 26 different law firms responded to the Bridge Group survey. Nearly two-thirds of solicitor apprentices responding were in their first or second year. The remaining third were divided across the other four cohorts. Nearly two-thirds of respondents are based in an office within Greater London, with over one-third (39%) based in another UK region. We would like to share detailed findings of the Bridge Group Report on the experiences of solicitor apprentices with City Century law firms before sharing more widely, but suffice to say that the headlines are as follows: ✅ Nearly all respondents (98%) were aged between 18-24 years of age. Responses from solicitor apprentices were positive in indicating that: ✅ the role of solicitor apprentice is respected and appropriately supported by colleagues ✅ solicitor apprentices feel positively about progressing to a career with their current employer and are aware of opportunities. City Century law firms: we will be sharing the full Bridge Group Report with you in the December newsletter. #SkillsEngland #SolicitorApprenticeships 💺🚂🚞🚆🚅🚊🚇🛤️🚉🚈

Exciting Announcement! Last week, The Bar Standards Board (BSB), the regulator of Barristers in England and Wales, announced their endorsement of the Barrister apprenticeship standard. The Bar Standards Board endorsement is fundamental to the creation of Barrister apprenticeships and marks a pivotal milestone. This progressive announcement is a significant endorsement of equal opportunity within the legal sector, putting access to the Bar on par with other legal professions, such as solicitors and paralegals. Those aspiring to become a Barrister in England and Wales must complete three main components: academic, vocational and work-based learning (pupillage). #BarristerApprenticeships have the potential to transform access to the Bar, improving social mobility, equality of opportunity and diversity at the Bar. It also has the potential of significant societal benefits: tackling the court case backlog, reducing waiting times, and enriching the judiciary with those from underprivileged, disadvantaged, and minority backgrounds. For further information, please visit: https://lnkd.in/e53s6aEN

💷Defunding the Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship Levy is counterproductive. Realising my mission to leave the profession more diverse and inclusive than the one I entered, the role of solicitor apprenticeships has been vital to achieve this aim. The solicitor profession has worked hard to open up and diversify the profession, welcoming those who would otherwise not be able to afford to qualify. The Government recently announced a new Growth and Skills Levy, which will replace the existing Apprenticeship Levy. Defunding level 7 apprenticeships without exemptions will close the door to qualifying as a solicitor and make a legal career less accessible for many, which is a backward step and counterproductive to our overall aim of making the solicitor profession more accessible, especially to those from an under-represented and disadvantaged background. Judicial diversity is tied to the diversity of the legal profession. The legal profession serves as the primary talent pipeline for the judiciary. By reducing accessible pathways to qualification, we restrict the pool of future judges, ultimately undermining the judiciary's ability to reflect and serve society effectively. Exemptions from the defunding of the Levy for the Level 7 solicitor apprenticeship must be considered. Redirecting funding towards lower-level qualifications not only limits aspiration, but it will do nothing to create a profession that truly reflects the society it seeks to serve. This approach is counterproductive to the government's broader goals of fostering economic growth and ensuring equal opportunity. I urge the government to rethink this policy and engage meaningfully with the legal sector’s representatives, including the Solicitor Trailblazer Group, Michelle Tunney Kerry Gilbert James Catchpole and The Law Society to consider viable alternatives. Defunding Level 7 solicitor apprenticeships will have a detrimental impact on widening access to the profession, to access to justice, and in turn to the judiciary. #SolicitorApprenticeships #LegalProfession #SocialMobility

Couldn’t agree more with this important post - we have a responsibility as a profession to increase career opportunities and access to the legal sector FOR ALL and proposed changes to the funding for Level 7 solicitor apprenticeships threaten this 👇 #equitydiversityinclusion #opportunitiesforall #solicitorapprenticeships #legalcareers

🌟 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 🌟 We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, an innovative and forward-thinking organisation dedicated to supporting aspiring solicitors and legal professionals across the UK. As a fully virtual, accredited law school, The College of Legal Practice is revolutionising legal education with their affordable, high-value online programmes tailored to prepare students for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). With a not-for-profit ethos and extensive expertise, they are committed to guiding students through every step of the SQE journey. Their expertise doesn’t stop there – The College also delivers solicitor apprenticeship programmes, designed to support both law and non-law graduates, for employers. These programmes are designed to integrate with an employees’ weekly work at the firm, recognising the demands on trainees’ time and support required for clients. 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: We are delighted to share that The College of Legal Practice will be hosting a roundtable for SLS member firms on 𝟮𝟲 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆. This event will explore how graduate solicitor apprenticeships can empower trainees to excel in the SQE and how organisations of all sizes can maximise the benefits of the Apprenticeship Levy. Stay tuned for booking details in the new year! In the meantime, for more information about The College of Legal Practice, visit 👉 www.collegalpractice.com or contact them directly at info@collegalpractice.com. #Partnership #LegalEducation #SQE #Apprenticeships #SurreyLawSociety #FutureSolicitors Helen Opie Alice Payne Peter Liver James Scozzi Kieran Bowe Dawn Lawson Nick Ball Claudene Howell Emma Patel Dev Jummoodoo Ema Jones Sushila Abraham Carina Brits Hayley Lalsing Rachel Philip Alastair Logan OBE Madeleine Beresford Suzanne Walker Kim Wintle

Help Save The Solicitor Apprenticeship! Hi All Skills England has recently announced changes to the apprenticeship funding which could result in removing level 7 apprenticeship funding. Datalaw has been very vocal in lobbying the government on how damaging this would be for the legal sector if they decided to remove the solicitor apprenticeship. As seen here https://lnkd.in/emS-nH7V However, we need law firm employees and employers to voice how stifling this would be for aspiring solicitors, social mobility and law firms that could not otherwise offer this training. Please note for people already on the solicitor apprenticeship this will not affect your ability to continue on the programme. But we would urge people to think of the opportunity the solicitor apprenticeship has afforded so many and how many firms and individuals would miss out if the government does move to defund the solicitor apprenticeship. As part of the lobbying process, we need as many people as possible to fill out the forms below. Multiple managers and individuals from each firm can fill out the forms so please feel free to share these forms internally and on social media. 💻 Employer Survey: https://lnkd.in/eBrUiESQ 💻 Apprentice Survey: https://lnkd.in/e68AyG-h Thank you in advance for your support.

The artificial concept of prestige and the idea that #apprenticeships are arguably less prestigious than a traditional #university education, is having some very real consequences for #students. As a Solicitor Apprentice, I spend lots of time encouraging people to apply for apprenticeships, and answering any questions people have about this route into law. However, it's not unusual for people to tell me that they've been actively discouraged from this route, for one reason: prestige. As a student from a lower socio-economic background, I understand why a prestigious education can be a social leveler. But when the concept of prestige has traditionally hindered many talented people, from lower socio-economic backgrounds, from accessing opportunities, it's unsettling that so many students still view a prestigious education as the only means to progress. I was this student. It was only during my first visit to a law firm that I was informed about solicitor apprenticeships as an alternative route into Law. This one hour visit transformed my entire perspective on apprenticeships, which highlights just how beneficial gaining new experiences, within a different educational setting, can be. I couldn't have asked for a better education within my first seven months as an apprentice at Pinsent Masons. Whilst my apprenticeship has certainly highlighted the benefits of a less traditional education, it's important not to dismiss the value university education can bring too. That is why apprentices also study for a degree at university. However, where traditional education is founded on the needs of a traditional university student: a student with a network of industry professionals to lean on for advice, support and perspective, it's important to remember that we are not all traditional university students. Many students, like myself, also need their education to expose them to the resources and network they would likely struggle to access themselves. Solicitor Apprenticeships are founded on providing this leverage. Solicitor Apprenticeships consistently highlight their potential to catapult students to success. This concept was highlighted in a recorded discussion between two apprentices, who highlighted that students who excel at prestigious universities often end up at the firms apprentices have been working at for four years (the video clip is linked in the comments). In fact, they also note that apprenticeships offer students an additional four years to build their brand, network and make a tangible impact in law, all whilst gaining a Level 7 Law #Degree (higher than an LLB). Now, that sounds like a very prestigious route for all Law students to consider. But that's just my opinion… Other people believe that apprenticeships are less prestigious. Just like other people believe that university is outdated. And other people believe that Solicitor Apprenticeships are too new… If we listened to all this external noise, how would we ever qualify?

Those that value the importance of developing the legal profession please read below 👇 . I. Stephanie Boyce FKC, FRSA puts for the very compelling argument for the continuation of the Level 7 Apprenticeship funding. Not everyone can afford to attend University, nor in the past would it have been an option for some. The Apprenticeship pathway has proved a highly valued route to the profession, has opened and widen access. The Solicitor Trailblazer Group, lead by Michelle Tunney and Kerry Gilbert have done excellent work in making their submission and garner support, lets hope sense prevails and this route is not lost! 🤞 #apprentices

IMPORTANT. My City Century Project Team colleagues are smiling in this photo, but this is a serious and important post. This is about the work that City Century is doing with the Bridge Group to collate and analyse data of City Century law firms on the socio-economic background of their solicitor apprentices. The 50+ law firms who are part of the City Century community approved this investment early this year, and engaged the Bridge Group in the summer. 👉🏽 Now the work that we have commissioned is more important than ever. 👉🏿 We need to provide data to show that the young people recruited into solicitor apprenticeships by City Century law firms are indeed from diverse backgrounds. And that they are under 24 or under and mostly 18 or 19. We want to provide helpful data to Department for Education and Skills England showing that our life-changing solicitor apprenticeships are not predominantly taken by middle aged, white heritage, middle class learners. 👉🏾 QUITE THE OPPOSITE. To give just one example: only one of the 100+ solicitor apprentice starts last month in City Century law firms was over 24. ❗ THIS POST IS TO ASK FOR HELP ❗ If you are the recipient of an email that Cassandra sent to all City Century law firms yesterday entitled 'City Century: Bridge Group surveys for SAs and firms', please action. ❗ If you are a solicitor apprentice in a City Century law firm, please complete the short survey if you are comfortable to do so, that will be forwarded to you by an Early Careers team colleague. If you don't receive it, please check with them. *The deadline is 1 November - next Friday* The Bridge Group works with organisations such as The Sutton Trust, Progress Together, Social Mobility Commission and many of our member law firms individually. We are in expert hands. If you know my story and the reason I stopped being a solicitor to become a full-time champion of solicitor apprenticeships, you will know how important it is to me personally that we show the impact of solicitor apprenticeships as a way to widen access to the legal profession. If you want to know more about the work of Bridge Group you may wish to read this article published last month 👇🏽 https://lnkd.in/eeJrAUgV I have shared this photo of Joanne Gubbay and Cassandra Barton because Jo G is leading this project with some sending out surveys assistance from Cassandra. If you know Jo G, you know that she is the person you ask to run something when it is very important. 🙏🏽 Please help me spread the word that solicitor apprenticeships in City Century law firms can help break the link between young people’s background and future success. City Century law firms are recruiting future leaders in the legal profession - straight from school. #SolicitorApprenticeships #SocialEquality #CityCentury #Research #SkillsEngland Apprenticeships Nik Miller Penelope Griffin Helen Wareham Susie Jennings