How to Find the Right Apprenticeship for Your Firm

You've decided an apprenticeship is a smart strategy for your firm. The next step is a practical one: how do you choose the right programme for your business needs?

It's not as simple as just "hiring an apprentice." The key to success is selecting the right Apprenticeship Standard.

This guide will explain what a "standard" is, the different levels available, and how to match one to the exact job role you need to fill in your practice.

What is an Apprenticeship Standard?

Think of an Apprenticeship Standard as the official, government-approved "curriculum" for a specific job.

It is designed by employers for employers. Each standard clearly defines the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) an apprentice must master to be fully competent in that role.

This means you aren't just getting a trainee; you are building a professional who has been assessed against a nationally recognised benchmark.

How to Match a Standard to Your Business Need

The first step is to be clear on your goal. Ask yourself these strategic questions:

• What is the exact job role I need to fill? Are you looking for a legal assistant to support your fee earners, a trainee to manage their own simple caseload, or a future-qualified practitioner?
• Am I hiring a new starter or upskilling an existing employee? An administrator moving into a fee-earning role will need a different standard than a brand new hire.
• What is the long-term career path? Choosing a standard is the first step in a career pathway. A good standard will have a clear progression route.

Understanding Apprenticeship Levels

Apprenticeships are available from Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) right up to Level 7 (Master's degree equivalent). For a legal or property practice, you will most likely be looking at the following:

• Level 4 (Higher): This is equivalent to a Foundation Degree or HNC. This is where specialist, technical roles begin. The Level 4 Conveyancing Technician standard is a prime example.
• Level 6 (Degree): This is equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree. These standards are a direct pathway to becoming a fully qualified professional, such as the Level 6 Licensed Conveyancer apprenticeship.

Key Apprenticeship Standards for Your Practice

For specialist firms, it's vital to choose a standard that delivers the precise technical knowledge you need.

Conveyancing Apprenticeships

• Level 4 Conveyancing Technician: This is the perfect standard for training a new or existing employee to manage a caseload of conveyancing transactions under supervision. They will learn the core technical and practical skills for roles like Conveyancing Assistant or Technician.
• Level 6 Licensed Conveyancer: This is the high-level, degree-equivalent option. It is a direct route to qualification, training your apprentice to become a fully regulated Licensed Conveyancer capable of managing their own complex caseload.

Probate Apprenticeships

• Level 4 Probate Technician: This is an excellent route to train an apprentice in the fundamentals of law, which can then be specialised in-house or through your training provider to focus on wills, probate, and estate administration.
• Probate Practitioner (Level 6): There are also dedicated standards that provide a direct pathway to becoming a qualified probate professional, similar to the conveyancing route.

You've Chosen Your Standard. What Next?

Choosing the right standard is the blueprint for your apprentice's success. You now know what knowledge and skills they will learn.

The next, and most important, decision is choosing who will deliver that training.

Your standard is the curriculum, but the training provider is the partner who will bring it to life.

Take the Next Step

Now that you know how to identify the right programme for your firm, the next critical step is selecting the right partner to deliver it.

• Read Our Guide: How to Choose an Apprenticeship Training Provider
• Explore Our Programmes: See how we deliver the specialist standards you need for Conveyancing and Probate.
• Contact Us to discuss which standard is the perfect fit for your goals.