Why we must protect solicitor apprenticeships
Lucie Allen, managing director of global legal training provider BARBRI, explains how limiting access to solicitor apprenticeships risks undoing progress made to build a legal profession that truly reflects the society it serves
As the government reviews its funding for level 7 apprenticeships, BARBRI, along with our partner Damar Training, is calling on policymakers to recognise the vital role solicitor apprenticeships play in increasing diversity and social mobility within the legal profession. These programmes not only provide a structured path for aspiring solicitors but also give law firms a critical tool for building a skilled and inclusive workforce.
For firms, particularly those outside London and smaller firms, solicitor apprenticeships represent a unique opportunity to develop and retain talent. These programmes make it possible for individuals from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds to enter the profession without the financial burden of traditional university education. However, with growing concerns over changes to funding, we risk losing an invaluable tool for social mobility and workforce development.
The case for maintaining level 7 apprenticeships
Solicitor apprenticeships have become one of the most significant routes to expanding access to the legal profession. They provide individuals who may have faced financial or social barriers to university education a route to become fully qualified solicitors while gaining valuable work experience. Apprenticeships allow firms to build loyal, highly skilled teams and develop talent that truly reflects the diverse range of clients they serve.
Data from a recent report by Damar Training, clearly demonstrates the crucial role these apprenticeships play in supporting social mobility. According to a survey of Damar’s solicitor apprentices, a substantial portion of respondents came from working-class backgrounds, with 35% receiving free school meals, 73% did not have a parent who went to university and 94% attended state schools.
For these individuals, apprenticeships offer the unique opportunity to qualify as solicitors without incurring student debt and allow them to build careers in the context of real-world legal work.
A call for government support
Maintaining government support is crucial for the future of solicitor apprenticeships. With funding cuts potentially on the horizon, there is concern that these vital pathways into the legal profession could become out of reach for many aspiring solicitors. The risk is that it could exacerbate the current lack of diversity within the profession and limit opportunities for talented individuals.
Jonathan Bourne, managing director of Damar Training, explains: “Solicitor apprenticeships are opening doors for talented individuals who might otherwise be excluded from the legal profession. We’ve seen the impact these programmes have, especially on increasing diversity and accessibility within the legal field. Reducing funding for these apprenticeships would undo much of the progress we’ve made.”
For legal practice managers and learning and development professionals, maintaining funding for solicitor apprenticeships is not only a matter of equity but also a strategic business decision. These programmes allow firms to develop skilled professionals who are already embedded in the culture of the firm, often increasing retention rates and fostering loyalty. They also provide an affordable route for firms to cultivate new talent and meet growing demand for legal services.
Supporting smaller firms and regional practices
Solicitor apprenticeships are especially important for smaller firms and regional practices looking to address their recruitment needs, as they often struggle to compete with larger firms for talent, especially in metropolitan areas. These programmes offer a more flexible, cost-effective route to build a team of qualified professionals who are ready to contribute from day one.
Nearly 90% of apprentices from Damar Training work outside London, and over 70% are employed by smaller law firms or in-house teams. These figures underscore how apprenticeships are not only beneficial to individuals but also to firms that need to access a more diverse pool of talent.
BARBRI’s partnership with Damar Training has helped create pathways for apprentices to progress through structured training, combining practical legal work with educational support to ensure that apprentices are workforce-ready and qualified to handle the legal and commercial needs of their clients.
The role of apprenticeships in social mobility
The diversification of the legal profession is long overdue. For years, the profession has struggled with a lack of representation from individuals of different socioeconomic backgrounds. According to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), 20% of lawyers come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. However, there is still a significant gap, particularly in higher ranks of the profession, where representation from working-class backgrounds remains limited. Solicitor apprenticeships play a critical role in narrowing this gap.
Moreover, as the legal profession shifts towards a more client-focused, business-driven model, the ability to understand the commercial landscape has become just as important as legal expertise. Apprenticeships not only help by providing legal professionals with practical, on-the-job experience, they also enable firms to tap into the vast potential of a workforce that understands both the law and real-world challenges clients face.
A call to protect access to solicitor apprenticeships
As we look to the future of the legal profession, it’s crucial that we maintain and expand access to solicitor apprenticeships. These programmes represent a key opportunity to increase diversity and social mobility, while also ensuring that firms — particularly in regional markets — have access to a pipeline of well-trained, skilled professionals.
BARBRI stands committed to supporting the legal sector in its efforts to expand access to apprenticeships, ensuring that these pathways remain a viable and inclusive option for aspiring solicitors. We urge the government to continue its support for level 7 apprenticeships, recognising their vital role in shaping a more diverse, skilled and socially mobile legal profession.
The long-term benefits solicitor apprenticeships bring to the profession are tangible. We are committed to working alongside our partners and other stakeholders to ensure that apprenticeships remain an accessible, affordable and effective route to a career in law.
In doing so, we can help build a legal profession that truly reflects the society it serves, while ensuring that the next generation of solicitors is equipped to meet the demands of a dynamic and interconnected legal sector.
Read Damar Training’s The social mobility impact of ‘defunding’ the solicitor apprenticeship report here
