Interview
In September 2017 I was privileged to become one of Gateley Legal’s first ever apprentices. I was welcomed into the Residential Development Unit (RDU) as a Paralegal Apprentice in the Birmingham office. My apprenticeship was structured into a two-year journey where I worked in a professional role in RDU alongside studying at BPP University. During my two years, I rotated within RDU to gain as much experience as possible. During my first year I worked within the plots team and in my second year I moved over to the infrastructure team. Following successful completion of my Paralegal Apprenticeship, in September 2019 I was honoured to become Gateley Legal’s first ever Solicitor Apprentice.
Choosing an apprenticeship has enabled me to study at university, whilst simultaneously working and learning the fundamental skills required to be a successful legal professional in practice. Once a week I attend university, where I am currently studying for my LLB Honours degree in Legal Practice. Going to university as part of my apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to read for a degree, which is something I may not have been able to do otherwise. My university course is apprenticeship-specific and is therefore tailored to provide me with the legal knowledge and support I need to work efficiently within my department. Whilst university provides me with my education on the study of law, working as an apprentice in a professional role allows me to demonstrate what I have learnt at university and use it in practice at work. Another advantage of working and learning simultaneously has been the ability to pick up professional skills in the workplace. For example: confidently communicating with clients and colleagues, participating in meetings, organising my own workload and being trusted with responsibility.