The employer trailblazer group reviewing the paralegal apprenticeship standard is seeking feedback from employers and others on proposed revisions.
The consultation is open until 21st October 2022, so please read and respond as soon as possible. It will be of interest to:
- Law firms and in-house legal teams
- Other organisations that employ paralegals
- Buyers of legal services who are interested in the skills, knowledge and behaviours of the legal professionals working on their behalf
- Those working in legal services and future apprentices
- Providers of legal education, relevant awarding and membership bodies
The attachment, which has been written by the trailblazer group, introduces the changes and sets out the draft revised standard. The existing standard continues to be effective but the update is a useful evolution, particularly in terms of the level of detail around the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) that apprentices need to be successful in their roles.
Feedback is sought via an online survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6RVBRFF.
The revised standard is expected be launched in 2023 (date to be confirmed). Until then, apprentices will continue to start on the current standard, unaffected by the changes. As now, apprentices following the revised standard will be able to progress where appropriate to higher level legal apprenticeships.
The new standard helpfully sets out the duties undertaken by paralegals and the knowledge skills and behaviours (KSBs) required to perform these duties competently. The purpose of the consultation is to see whether the trailblazer group’s assessment of the duties and the KSBs reflects the views of the wider legal sector.
Please take a few minutes to see whether you agree and let the group know, via the survey, if there should be any changes. This consultation is your opportunity to future-proof the apprenticeship and ensure it continues to be a really effective way to attract and develop talented future legal professionals from a wide range of backgrounds.
This work sits within the wider context of the review of legal, finance and accounting pathways by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, which ends on 18th November 2022 (https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/about/newshub/news-events/have-your-say-on-the-future-of-legal-finance-and-accounting-skills-training/)