AN ILKLEY-based legal firm that employed its first legal apprentice just over two years ago has recruited a further six apprentices, and plans to employ three more this year following the scheme’s success.

Managing partner at LCF Law, Simon Stell, said: “Our first apprentice, Caroline Raynor-Jones, joined our property team straight from school and has been a real asset to our team. Her success inspired us to expand the programme. We have been delighted to take on six more apprentices, who all want to embark on a legal career.

“We have partnered with external training organisation, Damar Training, in order to support our apprentices as they work towards their exams and qualifications. Currently, we have four apprentices working within LCF Residential, which is the conveyancing arm of our business, and the other three are based within our personal law, debt recovery and disputes departments.”

Caroline, Abigail Fisher, Faye Walker and Hannah Lynch-McShane are all working towards the CILEx Level 3 Diploma in Providing Legal Services and Charlotte Oxby, Sofia Meniai and Kieran Abbott are all working towards the Level 1 Administrative Apprenticeship.

Simon added: “All seven are progressing really well and Hannah, who is working in disputes, is actually way ahead of her expected completion date of August 2017, which is very impressive.”

A spokesperson for Damar Training said: “The quality of Hannah’s work is on another level, as is her ability to link her studies with practical application to her work in the offices. She is a joy to work with and has raced through the course. She will finish the Level 3 qualification eight months ahead of schedule.”

Hannah has recently been presented with Damar’s ‘Northern Student of the Month’ award for her excellent academic coursework, first-rate exam results and completion of the Level 3 Advanced Legal Apprenticeship course ahead of schedule.

Simon said: “The apprenticeship scheme allows students to find the right level of qualification or experience suited to their abilities rather than a one size fits all approach. Our very first apprentice, Caroline, wants to become a solicitor, and we will support her in her studies. Others have either similar ambitions or wish to pursue other routes to a career in the law as legal executives.

“The recently launched Solicitor Apprenticeship Scheme opens up a new route to qualification as a solicitor, allowing students to move straight from school or college into the work place. Some school leavers are put off university, often due to the high costs associated with it, so this is the ideal alternative for those people who want a career in law. We are very impressed with the programme and the dedication of all of our apprentices.”