Skills for Justice has secured funding to develop and pilot a new Higher Apprenticeship framework in Legal Services, where non-graduates can meet the growing need for ‘paralegals’. The aim of this process is to identify a suitable contractor to deliver the new Level 4 Legal Services Apprenticeship once developed to 50 apprentices by the end of November 2014.
The Sector Priorities Fund Pilot Programme (SPFP Programme) is a Welsh Government and European Social Fund initiative managed by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). The Programme aims to pilot strategic project activity with Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) in order to inform recommendations that will ensure the delivery of post-16 skills provision is more responsive and aligned to the needs of employers. All projects must end by December 2014, including all project reporting and financial returns therefore all delivery must be completed by the end of November 2014.
A Legal Services Higher Apprenticeship is already in development in England and will provide a basis for a Higher Apprenticeship in Wales. We expect the English framework to be available in December 2012 and will issue detailed guidance on the qualifications within the framework, the size, credits, assessment strategy and other information to Suppliers successful at the PQQ stage when the ITT is published in early 2013. We will also confirm which Awarding Organisation(s) will be offering the Apprenticeship’s qualifications and any Provider requirements in relation to this.
The aim of the project is to develop and pilot innovative and sustainable delivery mechanisms to support the implementation of the Higher Level Apprenticeship framework for the Welsh Legal Services sector. We anticipate the majority of delivery to take place in the South West region due to the high concentration of legal practices in Cardiff and the expansion in recent years of Swansea based legal practices.
The Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship (L4 HA) in Legal Services will build on the recent creation of National Occupational Standards for the Legal Services sector, a L4 HA in England, and expected further developments in England at Levels 2 and 3.
The HA will contribute to maintaining a world class Legal Services sector. The growth and success of the legal services sector in Wales is highly dependent on cost efficiency and client confidence in the quality of services and the competence of those delivering them. By providing a cost effective non-graduate entry route and a clear, nationally recognised training pathway, HA’s provide opportunities for talented people from diverse backgrounds and increase accessibility to jobs in the legal services sector.
Community Benefits do not apply to this contract.