Why apply for a legal apprenticeship?

Happy National Apprenticeship Week! Since their introduction in 2016 (and since Cripps’ first apprentices started in 2018), legal apprenticeships have risen from a place of relative obscurity to being a major consideration for new cohorts of aspiring legal practitioners. In recent years, over 40% of UCAS undergrad applicants are interested in apprenticeships and – especially in law – it’s safe to say that demand is outpacing supply. I’m going to talk about why I chose a legal apprenticeship, what it’s like, and how to go about applying for the programme(s) that suit you.

Why did I choose a legal apprenticeship? 

Apprenticeships (surprisingly) present a much smoother path to qualification than the traditional full-time student route. In best-case scenarios, both options can take as few as 6 years post–A-levels (or equivalent). Apprenticeships, however, remove a lot of stress and complication from these 6 years, and are a much more reliable way to qualify quickly.

This is because – nowadays – it is exceedingly difficult to find a training contract (the conventional method of completing ‘qualifying work experience’) straight after university. It has been reported that for each place on a training contract nationally, there are roughly 5 applicants. In my experience, this is a major source of anxiety for those on the full-time study pathway. Students are encouraged to spend their holidays applying for competitive ‘vacation schemes’ to develop their CVs and improve their training contract applications. Law graduates often have to take on administrative or paralegal roles before having a decent chance at securing any qualifying work experience. This uncertainty not only adds stress and complexity to the traditional route, but also makes it likely to take longer than the 6-year baseline. For apprenticeships, on the other hand, sufficient qualifying work experience is built into the 6-year programme.

Additionally, apprentices achieve better exam results. A pre-condition for starting qualifying work experience is achieving a passing grade in the post-graduate ‘Solicitors’ Qualifying Exam’ (SQE). This is by no means an easy task. The most recent sitting saw an all-time-low of only 44% of candidates passing their exams. Apprentices have consistently outperformed their graduate peers and – in the most recent sitting – achieved a 53%  pass rate. Failing to pass the SQE on the first attempt can cause significant delays and affect a lawyer’s chances of securing a job at some firms. Apprentices are more likely to avoid this situation.

A sounder financial decision

Apprenticeships are a much more sensible option financially. This is primarily because apprentices start earning from the very beginning of their programme and are, therefore, in a much better position to save money than their full-time student peers. After my third year I’ll be earning more than the average graduate in the South East, and I will have been saving for 3 years longer than my counterparts completing conventional degrees.

Also – crucially – apprentices don’t have to fund their courses. The programme is entirely funded through the government’s apprenticeship levy (soon to be called the ‘growth and skills levy’), which means we don’t pay any tuition fees, and we don’t incur any student debt. The average graduate finishes their course roughly £45,000 in debt, which is avoided entirely by doing an apprenticeship.

Aside from all of this, there are important advantages that come with entering salaried employment earlier. From the age of 18 I’ve been making contributions to my workplace pension, building a credit score and paying into high-interest savings accounts. Everything about the programme will put me in much better financial position than I would have been in as a graduate.

A stronger foundation for a legal career

Law is a highly specialised career path, and one where success is about more than just knowledge. It requires a lot: the ability to apply the law to practical scenarios, a strong work ethic, networking and social skills, and having the self-awareness to ask for advice or assistance when needed. These are skills that are best developed by being in a real legal practice surrounded by experienced lawyers. Throughout the course of the programme, apprentices are given more responsibilities, progressing from more entry-level tasks to holding client meetings and managing caseloads.

Cripps’ apprenticeship scheme has prepared me for a career in law in a way that a conventional degree never could. I’ve seen transactions progress in real time across a variety of practice areas, and I’ve absorbed much more knowledge than a textbook or a lecture could ever provide.

What is life like as an apprentice?

The study side

Apprentices doing any course will spend one day per week studying and four days per week working. For legal apprentices, the content is broadly similar to that of a typical law degree. We study modules like ‘Tort Law’, ‘Criminal Law’, ‘Dispute Resolution’ and ‘Public Law’. The study days themselves (which, for most Cripps apprentices, are every Monday) are fully remote with 2-hour virtual lectures, learning materials accessed via an online portal, and tasks to complete. (Typically, in the form of fake emails from fictional colleagues asking about the material covered that day). Modules tend to take between two and three months, after which apprentices sit an online (open book) knowledge test which contributes to a final grade.

In addition, it is an apprenticeship requirement to complete coursework throughout the programme. Coursework requires apprentices to discuss experiences that they’ve had in the workplace (e.g. ‘leveraging the experience of peers’ or ‘making use of online research tools’). These experiences must evidence different competencies expected in the legal sector.

Work and balance

The work apprentices do varies depending on practice area and experience, but it’s always real work for real clients. At every point in my apprenticeship, I’ve been progressing the firm’s caseloads and learning new things. In the corporate division I drafted ancillary documents for corporate acquisitions, In Post Completion I’ve dealt with Property Tax and Lease Extensions. One of the reasons why I’ve always been drawn to law is that lawyers can expect to work on something different every day. The apprenticeship programme certainly reflects this and at Cripps we’re given the opportunity to move around – both across and within the firm’s 3 major fee-earning divisions. See Lauren’s article for more detail on seat rotations at Cripps.

The balance between work and study is sometimes difficult, but never overwhelming. One day per week is usually enough to cover all the prescribed material, and we’re allowed two days off for each test we sit. Self-discipline and time management are required skills for adhering to deadlines and staying on top of material, but studies don’t bleed into personal time very often. It can occasionally be a difficult balance to get right when teams are busy or coursework is due, but we’re given all the support that we need to make it work.

The social side

At least at Cripps, legal apprenticeships offer a broad array of social opportunities. The firm allows for teams to socialise frequently outside of working hours, and I’ve had the opportunity to attend parties, lunches, brunches, dinners and networking events at each stage of the programme. Additionally, Cripps’ leadership care deeply about our role in the community and our impact on the world around us. We have lots of committees, groups and teams dedicated to all of Cripps’ ‘purpose’ aims. There are apprentices on the social mobility committee, the committee dedicated to religion and faith and the committee dedicated to gender equality (to name a few). I’ve sat on the charity committee for over two years and there’s been a different fundraising activity every month – I’ve seen everything from quizzes and bake sales to skydives and marathons.

Considering applying?

Whether to apply

Apprenticeships aren’t for everyone, and it’s important to think deeply about whether completing an apprenticeship is how you’d like to spend your higher education. It’s a major commitment (with many firms offering only a 6-year programme), and it’s a full-time job. It’s relevant to note that apprenticeships aren’t the ‘easy option’. Apprentices sign a contract of employment and are treated like salaried employees – with contracted hours, responsibilities, managers and appraisals. Whilst I’d say it’s fun, it’s definitely a different kind of fun to a conventional degree. That being said, I couldn’t recommend it enough! Apprenticeships – legal or otherwise – are phenomenal opportunities for all the seasons set out above. Even if you apply ‘on the side’ in addition to a normal UCAS form, you can apply to as many apprenticeships as you like so there’s no reason not to!

Finding an apprenticeship

There are a few criteria that are helpful to consider when selecting an employer or programme.

First – the nature of the apprenticeship. Cripps stood out to me because of the huge variety of seats available. As someone who wasn’t sure of which area of law to go into, the opportunity to experience different sectors first-hand was exactly what I wanted. Some firms are very specialised and only offer services in specific sectors and some are more generalised. Some non-legal employers (including AstraZeneca and the BBC) offer 6-year legal apprenticeships that take place exclusively within their in-house legal team. Consider the kind of work you’d like to experience and look for employers who can provide that work.

Second – qualifications. If you have a career in mind, consider whether an apprenticeship could provide a sufficient ‘stepping stone’ towards that career. Look into the certificate level awarded by the apprenticeship, and the qualifications required to work in your desired role. Legal apprenticeships work well because the qualifications granted are the same qualifications needed to practice law.

Third – geography. Apprentices are usually expected to be in-person for most of the week, so it’s important to live somewhere relatively close to your place of work. Consider whether a given commute would be practical over the course of several years, or whether you’d have to move out or relocate (and what the cost implications of that would be).

The GOV.UK website has lots of tools to help with searching for an apprenticeship including their ‘find an apprenticeship’ service.

How to stand out

Employers hear from a massive number of applicants each year, and it can be difficult to stand out. My best advice would be that authenticity is important. Managers will throw away any applications that seem at all vague, impersonal or exaggerated. Think about what makes you stand out and talk about that. In my application, I discussed my time working at Sainsburys (in the vegetable aisle!) during weekends whilst in sixth form. I explained that interactions with impatient customers had developed my resilience and taught me about problem-solving. Try to link your own experiences to relevant skills (like team-working or critical thinking). Go over your application with a parent, friend or teacher to make sure that it flows well and doesn’t have any mistakes.

There’s definitely an apprenticeship programme somewhere that suits your needs, and I hope you find it!

How we can help

Cripps’ apprenticeship application window runs from September to December each year, and we welcome any candidates who are passionate about law and making a difference. For more information on our programme and how to apply, visit legal apprenticeships at Cripps .