With recruitment and retention still a challenge for many law firms a Liverpool training venture urges more practices to go down the apprenticeship route. Tony McDonough reports
Founder of legal training specialist Datalaw is urging more law firms to consider apprenticeships to fill their skills gaps.
Competition for talent in the professional sector remains fierce with many law firms listing recruitment and retention as one of their biggest ongoing challenges.
With its head office in Liverpool, Datalaw has trained almost 30,000 people since its formation 25 years ago. Founder Charles Peter is urging the sector to act now before next year’s changes to the system of qualification.
Datalaw has led on apprenticeships in law and offers Ofsted-approved academic-led training which is helping to diversify and level up the profession.
Charles said: “There’s a misconception that an apprenticeship is only suitable for new entrants to the sector, but the reality is that an employee at any level is able to pursue this route.
“The legal apprenticeship can be used to not only upskill existing staff but also attract the next generation of solicitors.
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“It’s risk-free as a Government grant will pay for the online training which alongside the practical experience of working within a law firm, provides the apprentice with the necessary mix of skills needed as the profession evolves and embraces new technology.
“With the number of solicitors heavily weighted to the south, this is also a cost-effective way for firms to ensure access to high quality legal advice for their clients wherever they live in the country.”