NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2024


9th Feb 2024

Join us as we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week UK here at 18 and help raise awareness of the different routes to a career in law. #NAW24 #SkillsForLife

This is a week of celebrating all soon to be, current and graduated Apprentices. Here at 18 St John Street Chambers, we recognise the immense value of apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on our individuals and wider business alike. We are extremely proud to have been involved with Apprenticeship schemes for several years now. Our red doors have seen a number of Apprentices gain invaluable skills, with many of them going on to become clerks here in Chambers or furthering their careers elsewhere.

Over the week, we’ve caught up with three of our current Apprentices working across Chambers to shine some well-deserved spotlight on them. Meet Alex, Lilly, and Laura! Read below to find out their reasons for choosing an apprenticeship route and what #SkillsForLife they are acquiring on their Chambers journeys thus far.

Chambers Director James Parks also offered his comments on the success and value of Apprenticeship schemes: “18 St John Street Chambers has been operating for over 50 years and prides itself on creating a platform for the most talented barristers. We have largely achieved this by bringing through young talented individuals to become clerks and key members of staff. Chambers help these bright young individuals in developing a skillset, mindset, and drive to help them achieve success at 18 or any other role they decide to pursue in the future.

In the more recent past 18 has utilised the excellent Apprenticeship Schemes in place in Manchester and achieved impressive results. The opportunity to work and learn is something very attractive to society as a whole and our apprentices continue to learn and excel each and every day. We will continue to help and support our current crop, Alex, Lilly and Laura to ensure they successfully complete their courses, and we aim to retain their services within chambers for the foreseeable future.”

Meet our current Apprentices:

Alex:

I chose an apprenticeship because I felt like this would be the best way for me to further my career. After completing two years at college, I knew that I wanted to work but also wanted to carry on with further education and this apprenticeship allowed me to do that.

During my short time in the apprenticeship, I have already gained skills that have helped me to progress within my job role.

Another benefit is being able to earn a wage while obtaining a qualification that will benefit my future.

Lilly:

I chose an apprenticeship as it’s not just a job but a paid learning experience that you get a degree at the end of. You also gain valuable workplace experience.

Additionally becoming an apprentice makes you an attractive prospect for future employers.

Balancing my workload in chambers with my college courses and assessments has also helped me develop my organisation and prioritisation skills which will no doubt prove useful as I continue in my professional life.

Laura:

I enjoy my apprenticeship because whilst earning towards a qualification, I am gaining hands on experience and learning in the workplace.


To learn more about how #NAW24 is being celebrated across the country, visit the dedicated website here: https://nationalapprenticeshipweek.co.uk/