Apprenticeships: information for employers
This guide covers:
- an apprentice's route into the profession
- apprenticeships in Wales
- training
- funding
- employing an apprentice
- resources for employers
Legal apprenticeships offer an alternative way into the legal profession from the study route. Apprenticeships are designed around the employer’s needs and can help your firm to:
- widen the talent pool
- improve retention of staff
- promote social mobility
- develop talent from an earlier age
- increase productivity and employee engagement
Read more about the benefits an apprentice can bring to your firm
Read our case studies to find out more about apprentices’ experiences
Route into the profession
In 2016, four ‘Trailblazer apprenticeships’ were set up in England, replacing earlier legal apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships are a devolved issue in Wales and have been developed separately.
In England it’s possible to qualify as a solicitor, paralegal, probate technician or chartered legal executive by completing an apprenticeship.
For each apprenticeship, there’s:
- a standard, which describes the skills, knowledge and behaviours required
- an assessment plan, which sets out how the apprentice will be assessed during and at the end of their apprenticeship
The table below shows how long each legal apprenticeship takes to complete.
| Apprenticeship level | Years to complete the programme |
| Level 3 – paralegal | 2 |
| Level 4 – probate technician | 2 |
| Level 6 – chartered legal executive | 5 |
| Level 7 – solicitor | 5 to 6 |
The standards expected of apprentice solicitors are the same as those expected of all solicitors, with rigorous assessments before they are admitted to the profession. In order to qualify, solicitor apprentices will have to pass the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), which will be the qualifying assessment for all solicitors from autumn 2021.
Find out more about apprenticeship standards
Some law firms may offer paralegal apprenticeships with the option to progress if candidates perform well and there are opportunities available. For example, a candidate might go on to do an apprenticeship as a solicitor or chartered legal executive.
Apprenticeships in Wales
From June 2022, employers in Wales can recruit legal services apprentices or sponsor existing employees.
Apprentices undertaking the new qualifications will complete the Foundation stage (Level 3) and Advanced stage (Level 5) of the new CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ),
The new apprenticeship pathway is the result of a collaborative approach between Welsh Government, the Law Society and CILEX.
Any organisation that can provide the necessary legal work experience is eligible to sign up, with an estimated 700 organisations in Wales potentially suitable to sponsor a legal apprentice.
Level 3 – paralegal and Level 5 – advanced paralegal
From September 2022, the new Level 3 – paralegal and Level 5 – advanced paralegal apprenticeships are open to students:
- aged 16 or over
- with a high standard of numeracy and literacy, and
- sponsored by their employer
The new pathway follows long-term lobbying and over two years of negotiation with the Welsh government, further education providers, CILEx and the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.
Providers
The University of Wales Trinity St David (UWTSD) has launched Wales’ first Legal Apprenticeship Framework.
Level 7 – solicitor
We believe there should be a fully funded Level 7 – solicitor apprenticeship programme in Wales, like the one available in England.
The Welsh government is running a needs analysis consultation to establish the extent to which a solicitor degree apprenticeship might meet the training and development needs of the legal professions in Wales.
Training
Apprentices work alongside experienced employees to gain on-the-job skills while receiving outside training from an approved provider.
Training providers work with law firms to develop tailored programmes. Based on your firm’s business requirements and culture, they can:
- advertise your apprenticeship
- provide interview support
- deliver training
Download the current list of training providers in England
Funding
Apprenticeship levy
If your pay bill is more than £3 million, you’ll contribute 0.5% of the bill to an apprenticeship levy towards the funding of apprenticeships. This applies to less than 2% of UK employers. You must tell HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) how much levy you owe each month.
HMRC guidance on paying the levy
Once you’ve declared the levy to HMRC, you can access funding for apprenticeships by registering for an apprenticeship service account online with GOV.UK.
If your firm does not have to pay the levy, you share the cost of training and assessing your apprentices with the government. This is called ‘co-investment’ and is paid by the training provider, who will invoice you.
For new starters from 1 April 2019, the rate of government co-investment has increased from 90% to 95%. You’ll only need to contribute the remaining 5%. Firms still pay the 10% government rate of co-investment for apprentices who started before 1 April 2019.
You must meet in full any costs above the funding band limit for any particular apprenticeship. The training provider will invoice you directly for this.
Funding, including levy contributions, can only be spent on training, education and assessment, including the final assessment, and cannot be used for wages or incidental costs, such as travel.
Read the funding rules and guidance for employers
Use the funding calculator to estimate:
- your levy spend
- how much funding your firm will have available to spend on apprenticeships
- how much the government will contribute towards the cost of training
The funding available will depend on what proportion of your pay bill is paid to employees living in England.
The levy is collected across the whole of the UK by HMRC through the PAYE system.
Read our guidance for legal sector employers on funding for legal apprenticeships (PDF 2.3 MB)
Funding transfer
You can transfer some of your apprenticeship funding to another firm. This gives employers more flexibility and helps larger employers to support apprenticeships in smaller organisations.
The allowance is 25% of your annual funding, which is calculated from the total amount of levy declared during the previous tax year. You can find out what your transfer allowance is on your online apprenticeship account.
Read the GOV.UK guidance on transferring funds to other organisations
Funding in Wales
The Welsh government delivers its apprenticeship programme through the Welsh apprenticeship provider network.
Find out more about funding in Wales
Employing an apprentice
You must sign an apprenticeship agreement with your apprentice.
This gives details of what you agree to do for them, including:
- how long you’ll employ them
- the training you’ll give them
- their working conditions
- the qualifications they’re working towards
You can write your own agreement or use a template.
You must pay an apprentice the minimum apprenticeship salary but you can pay them more if you wish.
Resources
Taking on an apprenticeship – GOV.UK
Apprenticeships in the legal sector guide (PDF 1.6 MB) – our guide to hiring an apprentice
Apprenticeship Ambassador Network – employer group promoting apprenticeships in England
Making the most of your apprenticeship levy – hear how a City firm set up its own scheme
How to prepare for apprenticeships – Law Gazette article covering topics such as costs and building relationships with training providers
Law Management Section article discussing benefits and challenges of taking on legal apprentices
Three myths about apprenticeships – includes case studies from law firm Hillyer McKeown
Legal sector apprenticeships – information for candidates on becoming an apprentice