New Degree Apprenticeship raises the bar on studying at higher level
The University of Wolverhampton is raising the bar on studying at a higher level with the launch of its new Chartered Legal Degree Apprenticeship.
The new qualification offered by the University of Wolverhampton Law School has been developed in collaboration with sector-leading employers and professional body, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx).
The practice based programme builds technical understanding and professional behaviours needed by future Chartered Legal Executives and Solicitors.
The six year part-time degree qualification covers criminal law, conveyancing, civil litigation, family law, contract law and legal research skills with options to specialise in the final year.
Five students, three from Wombourne based property lawyers, Connolley and Company, and two from the City of Wolverhampton Council, have enrolled on the course.
Sukhninder Panesar, Head of the Law School at the University, said: “It’s wonderful to welcome the first cohort of Degree Apprentices to the Business School. We’ve been teaching Law for over 60 years and, during that time, we have been committed to reflecting the changes to practices over the years.
“Our new students will be trailblazers and are leading the way for change in the industry, applying their learning while they are working. The new Degree Apprenticeship can be used by companies to upskill and retain their existing employees, to attract innovative talent into their organisation and develop a workforce that can meet their clients’ future needs.”
Jesse Salter, 19 from Wombourne, is a Legal Assistant at Connolley and Company. He said: “I’m looking to further my career, and whilst I studied for A Levels, I didn’t go to University to study for a degree. This gives me the best of both worlds – but what I’m learning on the Degree Apprenticeships will actually help me do my job. I can ask my employer for help during the course of my studies whilst at the same time bring what I’m learning back into the workplace.”
Sharon Lelkes, Director at Connolley and Company, said: “Without a doubt, the new Degree Apprenticeship scheme benefits the legal profession as a whole. To have staff professionally trained and backed by a government scheme is such a benefit to this company and without the non-levy funding we would not be able to do it. The bottom line is that, at the end of the course, I’ll have three qualified legal executives that will undoubtedly bring huge benefits to this business.”
Having been awarded £250,000 funding from the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) in 2017 to develop its Apprenticeship offer, over 150 apprentices are already studying for Higher and Degree level qualifications at the University.
The University of Wolverhampton has secured an additional £460k funding to deliver training for Degree Apprenticeships to non-levy paying companies. The allocation of money was approved by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) recently and means that the University can widen its support for local businesses looking to upskill their workforce.
The University offers Higher and Degree Apprenticeships in Chartered Management (CMDA), Higher Apprenticeship in Construction Management with pathways for Civil Engineering & Built Environment, Chartered Surveying, Chartered Legal Executive, Nursing Associate, Manufacturing Engineering, Product Design & Engineer and Healthcare Science Practitioner Degree Apprenticeships.
Future Higher/Degree Apprenticeships will include Digital Technologies, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Policing, Social Work, Nursing and Paramedic Degree Apprenticeships.