Government enhancements to apprenticeship programme funding are providing a significant boost to firms aiming to nurture internal talent, with training providers reporting a notable rise in applications.
The maximum funding for Licensed Conveyancer apprenticeships has risen to £18,000, while Legal Technician apprenticeships can now receive up to £10,000. Funding availability depends on whether an employer contributes to the apprenticeship levy. The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has welcomed the reported growth in apprenticeship uptake.
Currently, eight approved training providers are listed on the CLC’s apprenticeship webpage. Programmes can be undertaken through distance learning or completed either full-time or part-time in college or the workplace. The funding increase has also aligned with the rollout of a new end-point assessment (EPA), which evaluates the knowledge, skills, and behaviours acquired during the apprenticeship. This EPA is a regulated qualification, accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). One training provider has reported a 50% increase in conveyancing apprenticeship enrolments since September 2024.
Cheryl Kelsall, Curriculum and Performance Manager – Professional Service at Total People, said:
“We’ve worked hard to increase the profile of the apprenticeship route into conveyancing and are now seeing strong results. Qualified conveyancers can be difficult to recruit, so the apprenticeship is a perfect route for employers to bring in new talent. Anyone who undertakes their apprenticeship with Total People will have 20% of their working week dedicated to off-the-job training or attending knowledge webinars. It is an ideal route to gain a licence to practise.”
Nicki Crossley, Group Training Manager at PM Law Group—one of Total People’s leading apprenticeship partners—added:
“The apprenticeship levy has been really useful because it has enabled us to invest in more members of our staff than we would otherwise have been able to. The CLC apprenticeships allow us to upskill and promote from within. Applicants gain theoretical and practical knowledge alongside increased confidence, which in turn leads to a far better experience for our clients. It is of huge benefit.”
Stephen Ward, Director of Strategy and External Relations at CLC, also welcomed the changes: “It’s good to see the recent changes having a positive impact on the number of people embarking on a conveyancing career following the funding and assessment changes. Apprenticeships allow employers to benefit from funded opportunities to train the next generation of specialist property lawyers and are a great way for would-be conveyancing professionals to earn while they learn. I’d encourage employers to speak to our training providers about the opportunities available.”
Ward moderated a panel during National Conveyancing Week in March, which focused on fostering conveyancing talent amid growing recruitment challenges. He was joined by Karen Buckley (People & Culture Director at Movera), Janine Wellington (Managing Director, Convey Law), and Katrina Lamont (Chief of Legal Operations, Montpellier), where they discussed workplace culture, standards, and clearer qualification pathways for staff.
The full discussion is available to view on the National Conveyancing Week YouTube channel.
Source: Today's Conveyancer
