A Newcastle-based legal and accident management business is expanding its use of apprenticeships to develop the next generation of solicitors and legal professionals, as National Apprenticeship Week highlights the theme of “Skills for Life.”
Winn Group says solicitor apprenticeships are no longer an alternative route into law, but an increasingly important way of building practical skills, resilience and long-term careers, particularly for young people who want to earn while they qualify.
The group has enrolled 158 apprentices across its business since 2017, with 48 currently in training across legal services, personal injury, vehicle damage, IT, finance and customer service roles. Many are based in the North East and combine paid work with professional qualifications.
Unlike traditional legal training routes, solicitor apprenticeships allow trainees to work on real cases while studying. That means they gain hands-on experience with clients, court processes and regulated legal work from an early stage, alongside their academic learning.
Chris Birkett, CEO of Winn Group, said the approach is helping to build stronger long-term capability within the regional legal workforce.
“Apprenticeships are proving to be one of the most effective ways to develop confident, capable legal professionals. People are learning on live cases, managing real responsibilities and building professional judgement from day one.
“It’s not just about qualifying, it’s about developing the skills, resilience and confidence needed for a long-term legal career.”
The firm works with national training providers including the University of Law and Learning Curve Group to support apprentices through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route. Several of its first solicitor apprentices have already qualified and moved into more senior roles, including litigation supervision and complex claims handling.
Business leaders say the model also helps widen access to the profession by opening doors to people who may not want, or be able, to follow the traditional university route into law. Apprentices earn a salary while training, reducing the need for student debt and allowing earlier entry into the workplace.
Mr Birkett added:
“For regional employers like us, apprenticeships are also about investing in local talent and creating real career pathways. We’re seeing apprentices progress into fee-earning and supervisory roles, which strengthens retention and supports growth in the North East legal sector.”
