Only law firm to be in the 2024 RateMyApprenticeship Best 50 Apprentice Employers

Ahead of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), Irwin Mitchell has announced the firm is expecting 2025 to be another busy year for apprenticeships. This year’s intake due in September, will join over 200 apprentices welcomed previously.

Taking place from 10 to 16 of February, NAW aims to raise awareness of the benefits that modern apprenticeships offer, giving students and career changers the tools to explore all the options open to them and work out the best route to their future career.

Apprenticeships are a core part of the firm’s future growth ambitions and form an integral part of ongoing commitments to diversity and steps to becoming a leading responsible business. The result has been a significant increase in apprenticeships and the development of an early years careers strategy.

This year will once again, see one of the firm’s most diverse apprenticeship intakes, with a variety of both legal and non-legal roles and departments available. These include accountancy, business administration, paralegal, solicitor and tax. Other milestones include:

• An increase in apprentice programme types from 3 to 26, ranging from entry level to masters level.
• An apprenticeship completion rate of 85% versus 53.4% nationally.
• Fifteen apprentices commence the L7 Solicitor Apprenticeship programme with a further 9 due to start in 2025. The firm pays for their LLB Law degree plus exams to become fully qualified solicitors (saving individuals approx. £120k if they were to pursue this route via the university route).
• The only law firm within the RateMyApprenticeship Top 50 apprentice employers in 2024.
• With 18 sites around the UK, Irwin Mitchell aims to recruit top talent from the communities in which it operates.

As part of this year’s NAW, several initiatives are taking place, to promote apprenticeship opportunities and highlight their advantages for post 16 students and for internal employees looking to upskill while in work.

On Monday 27 January, the firm’s apprenticeship vacancies go live, with internal and external sessions running throughout the week, providing detailed guidance on availability and how to apply. Apprenticeships, Legal, Business & Accountancy Apprenticeship Jobs | Irwin Mitchell (Applications close on Monday, 17^th February 2025).

On Monday 10^th February between 6-7pm, a webinar is taking place Apprenticeships at Irwin Mitchell to guide parents, career changers, teachers and students alike through the apprenticeship opportunities available at Irwin Mitchell and the benefits of apprenticeships more widely and if the career approach is right for them.

Apprenticeship Case Study: Thyra Simpson (Solicitor Apprentice)

“I began my legal career at university but quickly realised it wasn’t for me, so I left university after completing my first year. Although I left university, I wasn’t sure if I was making the right decision. I did some research post-university and found a paralegal apprenticeship at Irwin Mitchell.

“Embarking on an apprenticeship at Irwin Mitchell has been an incredibly rewarding experience. While balancing a full-time job and pursuing a degree can be challenging, the exceptional support provided by Irwin Mitchell makes it manageable.

“The opportunity to earn while I learn, allowing me to gain practical experience and financial independence simultaneously. Moreover, the hands-on experience I've gained over the years has significantly boosted my confidence in approaching the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), knowing that I will have six years of solid experience under my belt.

“An apprenticeship at Irwin Mitchell offers support, opportunities and guidance every step of the way. Now, I can see that I made the right choice, and my legal career is well underway.”

Lorcan Seery, Apprenticeship Manager at Irwin Mitchell, said: “This year is set to be another busy year for apprenticeships and recognising this, we’re delivering a host of internal and external activities aimed at promoting their value to the widest possible audience.

“There are still many misunderstandings surrounding apprenticeships and this week gives an opportunity to correct the picture, not just for careers with us but for apprenticeships generally. Far from being just for post 16 students, they are a great way for career changers to re-skill or for existing employees to upskill; while for students, they may compare more favourably with university options than many realise.

“Apprenticeships represent a serious investment and myths of photocopying or making the tea and a lack of a meaningful roles are just that. Our intake is working and studying in a range of diverse areas and are valued team members. We take their recruitment very seriously and we are keen to attract and retain the very best talent. Apprenticeships are delivering career ambitions and business objectives for many firms and it’s a success story that’s not heard enough. We’re looking forward to using this week to change that.”