EDUCATION
Victoria Christie – apprenticeship assessor and CILEX law lecturer with Innersummit Professional Services .
Peter Rowlands – legal skills manager for Innersummit Professional Services at Bede Sixth Form College .
CILEX at Bede
“ I suppose it does sound a bit scary , and it is hard work , but after everything I have put into getting here , it feels great ,” she said .
Her employer recognises the part apprenticeships and training play in developing their workforce .
With legal and business administration apprentices in the team , practice manager Jennifer Bailly said : “ We can tailor our apprentices ’ training to the firm ’ s needs , supervise their progression and focus their training to those areas of law in which we specialise .”
This means they get to attract , cultivate and retain future talent , including those who may not have previously considered a career in a solicitors ’ firm .
Jennifer said : “ Our apprentices gain real world practical experience within their roles .
“ They work alongside solicitors , legal executives , licensed conveyancers and other lawyers who pass on their wealth of knowledge and experience .”
Councillor Bob Cook , Leader of Stockton Council , where Chloe is flying high , started his working life as an apprentice .
He said : “ Apprenticeships are vital to individuals so they can earn while they learn , gain hands on experience , build industry connections , work towards recognised qualifications and enhance career progression .
“ They offer a unique opportunity to attract and engage the best and brightest talent in the workforce .”
Alternate study routes into law may not be something new but they are increasingly becoming a viable option for individuals and employers looking to retrain and upskill . “ It opens up opportunities to those interested in a career in law and to employers looking to build and invest in their workforce ,” said Innersummit Professional Services ’ legal skills manager Peter Rowlands .
A lecturer in law , both on A level and CILEX courses at Bede , he says law training no longer has to be seen as a one-size-fits-all solution .
Where employers and learners might traditionally have been most familiar with the academic route , course options such as CILEX are increasingly recognised for their flexibility , particularly with part-time , distance learning and apprenticeship training available .
Peter explained : “ CILEX is more of a vocational route which enables learners to study while working in the legal sector .”
CILEX courses and apprenticeships available at Bede incorporate level 3 , level 6 and level 7 , and an introductory CILEX Certificate in Legal Practice which is open to those not working in a legal role – great news for anyone who always fancied a career in law but thought they had missed the boat .
Victoria Christie is a practising solicitor , apprenticeship assessor and CILEX law lecturer with Innersummit and is seeing students of all ages coming through .
“ We aim to include an andragogical approach into lessons which means bringing people ’ s own life and career experiences into the classroom ,” she said . “ As a result , students learn from one another , applying their knowledge to real-life scenarios .” What ’ s more , with so many career options in law , from working in the civil service to human resources , health and safety , employment law or finance , she added : “ You find skills in law are highly transferable .”
Innersummit Professional Services offer a range of part-time courses delivered either by distance learning or in person at Bede Sixth Form College .
To find out more about CILEX and apprenticeship training , or to discuss bespoke training opportunities and how they could work around your business email : hello @ innersummit . co . uk
Part of the Education Training Collective , Innersummit Professional Services provide employer-focused training solutions , with high-quality courses , designed and delivered by sector specialists , to address skills gaps and enhance performance .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 35