Solicitor Apprentice Review
at BCLP
Degree Apprenticeship
Legal/Law
Manchester
Review Submitted: January 2023
Overall Rating
4.4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4.2/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
I work in a team dealing with asset management for our largest real estate clients. I have my own caseload, consisting of many of my own matters, and I act for the landlord on them all. I have to draft, negotiate, agree and complete a range of legal real estate documents with the otherside. This covers leases, licences and agreements.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I really enjoy the programme, particularly the level of independence and trust given to deal with my own matters and balance my own caseload. I really enjoy looking back and seeing how much I have progressed. I think it's so beneficial as we can apply the knowledge we gain from University in the workplace.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learnt the following new skills:
- Legal technical skills in relation to real estate
- Legal drafting
- Minute taking
- How to use sites such as the Land Registry portal
- IT skills in dealing with spreadsheets and PDFs
I have developed these existing skills:
- Oral and written communication
- Time management
- Grammar
- Attention to details
-Team working
- Independence
- Legal technical skills in relation to real estate
- Legal drafting
- Minute taking
- How to use sites such as the Land Registry portal
- IT skills in dealing with spreadsheets and PDFs
I have developed these existing skills:
- Oral and written communication
- Time management
- Grammar
- Attention to details
-Team working
- Independence
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The programme is well structured to ensure we experience various areas of law and at the right level for our experience level at each year of the apprenticeship. We start in the easier teams, learning the basics and work our way into being integrated into client teams which I think allows for a smooth transition into dealing with higher level work.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
I receive so much support from my employer in various ways. I have regular catch ups with the apprenticeship manager and can always pick up the phone if needed. The firm as a whole are very supportive and love to put time and effort into the apprentices and our progression, which really shows.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
We receive the support from the training provider to allow us to spend one day a week studying and working towards exams and our final qualifications, being our LLB law degree and SQE1 and SQE2. The head of legal apprenticeships is a great member of the team and emails are answered on time.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The link between the qualification worked towards with my training provider and the role I carry out daily is so strong. It is so beneficial to be able to learn something on a Monday study day and then apply this knowledge in the workplace, for an on the job learner like myself.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Yes, we are encouraged to take part in extra curricular activities in the workplace. The following are a few examples of such activities:
- Football team
-Netball team
- Attending careers fairs and apprenticeship networking events
- Mentoring schemes
- Charity work, for our firm charity
- Ambassador schemes
-Social events are often hosted in both offices
- Football team
-Netball team
- Attending careers fairs and apprenticeship networking events
- Mentoring schemes
- Charity work, for our firm charity
- Ambassador schemes
-Social events are often hosted in both offices
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BCLP to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The progression I have experienced in myself over the past few years is second to none and I am so excited for my future with the company. I work for a company that loves to encourage and see apprenticeships succeed and anyone should want to work for a company that supports their future.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BCLP?
- Your own extra curricular activities and part time jobs are extremely valuable in your application for the job and you won't realise how many skills you have gained from this.
- Research why you want to work for BCLP in particular.
- Show your personality in any interview so they can see that you will be comfortable and fit into the office.
- Research why you want to work for BCLP in particular.
- Show your personality in any interview so they can see that you will be comfortable and fit into the office.
