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An end to earning while learning?

07 February 2025 / Rhicha Kapila
Issue: 8103 / Categories: Opinion , Profession , Diversity , Career focus , Training & education
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Cutting apprenticeships is a step backwards for the profession & for social mobility, says Rhicha Kapila

National Apprenticeship Week (running from 10 to 16 February) should be something for us all to celebrate, however, the government is currently rethinking its funding for level 7 apprenticeships, which has the potential to seriously impact social mobility in the legal profession. Launched in 2016, the level 7 (higher or professional) apprenticeships create a qualification path for graduates that is the highest level of apprenticeship in the UK. Apprentices spend 80% of their time working for their employer, and the rest of their time working towards their level 7 qualification through a training provider. How this route differs from many others into the legal profession is that the apprentice is paid, and they don’t have to pay for training.

City Century, a collaboration of 50-plus City of London law firms, was launched in 2022 to help promote these apprenticeships. It described the path as ‘a debt-free option where students can earn

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

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Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

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Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
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