Eversheds Sutherland' trailblazer apprenticeship programme - an exciting alternative

January 25th 2017

In 2016, Eversheds became one of the first UK law firms to offer the Trailblazer level seven solicitor apprenticeship scheme, in conjunction with BPP University Law School. This is a six-year paid apprenticeship and alternative route to becoming a qualified solicitor.

The programme allows participants to combine one day of study with four days learning on the job alongside experienced lawyers each week, all while receiving a salary and employee benefits.

Real estate apprentice Ella Pearson tells us about her experience.  

“I grew up in a small town in North Yorkshire. My school was supportive but small and lacked a proper careers advice service. I had planned to study history at university and convert to law afterwards – I thought that was the only way to access a career in law.

It was when a representative from Eversheds visited my school that I first learned about the apprenticeship route. The fact that I could finish with the same qualifications as if I had gone to university, but with six years of work experience behind me, sounded like a great opportunity.

I liked the idea of not just learning for the sake of learning. Rather than blindly studying law, I’ve found I learn things in my course that I know will be immediately applicable to me in the workplace. It’s great to see the real meaning of what you’re learning so quickly and I think it will help me advance in my career.

I started my apprenticeship with Eversheds in September 2016 in the real estate team. The work I do at the moment is a support role for the team. I will continue to develop my skills in the real estate department, changing job roles as I progress through my courses and gain experience. I will then join a training contract rotation for the last two years of my apprenticeship and will experience four different seats. I think I would eventually like to do more contentious work, something varied every day where you don’t know what’s coming – perhaps litigation. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll be the first apprentice to become a partner.  

It has been great to bond with the other seven apprentices who I joined the scheme with. We have taken part in a charity event together called Tracing the Sun which involved a 1.2 km kayak, a 15 km cycle and finished with an 11 km hike up a mountain. It was a great experience. 

For anyone thinking of pursuing a career in law, this is a great opportunity – but it’s definitely not the easy route! It’s a full-time course and a full-time job all in one. You have to be self-motivated, no one can do that for you. But this route gives you access to a great network of people who practise law every day and who you can ask for advice and guidance. It’s great to have that support.

I have five years left until I am a qualified solicitor and I look forward to learning a lot along the way. The thought of qualifying with six years of work experience, no debt and a degree by the age of 25 is really exciting!”

Learn more about the apprenticeship programme here.