What's An Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is an on-the-job training programme that mixes practical training with academic study.
Your exact tasks will depend on which apprenticeship you choose, but as an apprentice you will:
- Work alongside experienced staff
- Develop job-specific skills
- Get a recognised qualification
- Earn a wage
- Have time for off-the-job training and study.
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What Support Will I Get?
You’ll be supervised at work by your day-to-day manager or supervisor. They’ll monitor your work and generally guide you during your apprenticeship.
An authorised training provider will oversee your academic training and monitor your progress as you develop the workplace skills needed for your qualification.
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Why Do An Apprenticeship?
You may have heard the phrase 'earn while you learn' and that is one of the main benefits of an apprenticeship.
If you’re eager to start work but also want to continue your studies, an apprenticeship allows you to do both. You earn a salary, gain a qualification, and gain valuable work experience all at the same time.
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What Qualifications Do I Need?
In general, the qualifications you need to apply for an apprenticeship are:
- Five GCSEs at grades A* – C (or grade 9 – 4 on the numbered system)
- Three Cs or above at A Level, excluding General Studies (not currently required for Business Administration Apprenticeships)
There are some variations for the specific apprenticeships, so check the relevant apprenticeship page for more details on what qualifications you need.
You’ll also need to be…
- A UK or EEA citizen or have been a UK or EEA resident for at least three years
- Age 18 by the time you start your apprenticeship.
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Can I Do An Apprenticeship If I Already Have A Degree?
Our apprenticeships are open to anyone if they’ll be learning a substantially new skill. So, if you have a degree in history, for example, you’d be eligible to apply for our business admin, paralegal and accounting apprenticeships.
Our solicitor apprenticeship, on the other hand, is only available to those without a degree. This is part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and giving opportunities to a diverse range of candidates.
If you’re interested in becoming a solicitor and do have a degree, see our graduate recruitment page for opportunities.
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When Will I Get Time To Study?
You’ll usually agree your own time off for study with your line manager as it can differ for each programme. Generally most apprentices spend between half a day to a full day a week on their apprenticeship learning.
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How Much Will I Earn?
You’ll have a starting salary of £18,018, or £20,111 if you’re at our London office. We’ll then review your salary in July each year.
You’ll also have access to our employee benefits.
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How Long Will My Contract Be For?
The length of your fixed-term contract depends on the apprenticeship you choose:
- Business Administration Apprenticeship – 24 months
- Paralegal Apprenticeship – 24 months
- Accounting Apprenticeship – 24 months
- Solicitor Apprenticeship – 72 months (six years).
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What Happens When I Finish My Apprenticeship?
Your apprenticeship is your first step on a fulfilling career as a professional in your chosen area.
Many people accept full-time roles with us after completing their apprenticeship. We’ll help you develop your skills further and you’ll have opportunities to advance to more senior positions.
Wherever your career takes you, you’ll have an industry-recognised qualification and training from one of the UK’s top law firms as proof of your skills and knowledge.
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Do I Need Right To Work In The UK?
You’ll need right to work in the UK in September 2022 in order to apply for one of our apprenticeships. We’ll also ask you to demonstrate your right to work with the UK Visa and Immigration approved paperwork before you start.
Unfortunately, our apprenticeship roles aren’t currently eligible for visa sponsorship in 2022. You can check if you meet the requirements for this role on the gov.uk website.
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What should I do if I need adjustments due to a disability or condition?
We want everyone to feel comfortable and to be able to perform at their best during the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments please email earlycareers@irwinmitchell.com and we’ll be happy to discuss this with you further.
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How Do I Apply?
When applications are open, you can apply online through our careers portal.
For the paralegal and tax technician apprenticeships, we’ll then invite a shortlist of candidates to a telephone interview. Our solicitor apprenticeship has a slightly different selection process – read more about interview and assessments for our solicitor apprenticeship.
You can only apply to one of our apprenticeship opportunities once per year. If your application is unsuccessful this time around, you can apply again next year.
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What If I Have More Questions?
We’re happy to answer any other questions you might have about our apprenticeships. Email us at earlycareers@irwinmitchell.com and we’ll be in touch.
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