Reiana Murphy’s journey at Trowers & Hamlins began as a Receptionist before she was promoted to Team Assistant. It was in this role that she embarked on a level 3 business administration apprenticeship with a legal pathway.
As an Australian professional working in the UK, Reiana was completing functional skills in English and maths as part of her apprenticeship. But midway through her programme, government policy changed, offering Reiana the option to opt out of functional skills (as she was over 18 years of age). While others might have jumped at the chance, Reiana made a deliberate choice to continue. Her reasons were both practical and forward-thinking: “I didn’t want to need these qualifications later in my career and have to start again”.
Rather than viewing functional skills as a box-ticking exercise, Reiana embraced the opportunity to strengthen her foundational knowledge. “It was nice to refresh everything and just go back to basics,” she reflects. The experience was extremely positive, thanks largely to her functional skills tutor, Iain. “I never felt judged or under pressure and he was just very supportive,” Reiana explains.
The impact
The impact of Reiana’s apprenticeship journey has been significant, with her decision to complete functional skills in English and maths proving to be an important part of her professional development. At just 25 years old, she has recently been promoted to a paralegal position – a progression she attributes not only to her technical learning but to the confidence and foundational skills she rebuilt through her functional skills work.
Although Reiana had already completed equivalent qualifications in Australia, the functional skills experience offered something valuable: a chance to refresh and consolidate knowledge that had faded over time. “After time you forget it and it’s been quite a long time since I did my qualifications,” she explains. In a legal environment where precision in written communication and numerical accuracy are paramount, having these core skills refreshed and reinforced gave Reiana renewed confidence in her abilities.
The quality of teaching made all the difference. Iain, her Functional Skills Coach, created an environment where Reiana felt supported. “He was really patient, kind and motivating,” she recalls. His approach – encouraging, pressure-free and genuinely invested in her success – meant that Reiana looked forward to their sessions.
Beyond functional skills, Reiana gained a much better understanding of the organisation she works in, which proved instrumental in securing her paralegal promotion. “I think [it] has benefited me in going for this paralegal position,” she explains. The apprenticeship didn’t just teach her tasks; it helped her understand the ‘why’ behind her work and how it connected to Trowers & Hamlins’ broader values and objectives.
The apprenticeship also fostered crucial soft skills that have enhanced Reiana’s professional effectiveness. One area of particular growth was learning to challenge managers appropriately – something she initially found difficult. With support from her coaches, she developed the confidence and communication skills to question processes constructively and contribute her insights.
For her apprenticeship project, Reiana tackled a real-world problem that had been causing confusion within her team. She created a comprehensive, step-by-step process guide for a complex form that required different approaches depending on the specific client and matter involved. The impact was immediate and tangible: new team assistants who joined the firm after the guide was created provided positive feedback, describing it as “really beneficial”. This project exemplified how apprenticeships can deliver value not just to the individual learner but to the entire organisation.
Looking ahead, Reiana has clear ambitions for her future. She plans to pursue a paralegal apprenticeship, with the ultimate goal of qualifying as a solicitor.
Reflecting on her overall experience, Reiana’s enthusiasm is evident: “Everyone at Damar is very supportive and it was a really positive experience to go through. I would recommend it to anyone”.