08 Apr, 2020/ by National Accident Helpline /Company Announcements, News
To mark National Apprenticeship Week, we asked some of our apprentices to share their insights into learning on the job and how it has helped them to progress in their roles.
Martin and Emma are both Paralegal apprentices studying with CILEx Law School and are half way through their Level 3 qualification.
Q: What has your apprenticeship involved over the past year?
Emma:
We do a mix of webinars, reports, one-to-one sessions and off-the-job training.
We have been doing more reports where we are given an example scenario and have to prepare a report which would inform the court. That involves learning about schedules, sections of Acts and how to apply and present them.
Off-the-job training is when we are learning during the course of our day jobs, and this is 20 per cent of our apprenticeship. A good example of what this might be is, I might get a case where there is a piece of terminology I've not seen before. So I would speak to the Litigation team to gain more understanding of it and what the implications are, and that time would count towards my off-the-job training.
Q: What have you most enjoyed learning about so far?
Martin:
Over the last year I've learned about defences, causation and vicarious liability, and this has helped me in my day to day role. It's been useful to expand my legal knowledge and gain a better understanding of the terminology, and then apply this in my job. It allows me to be confident when speaking to customers about their case.
Emma:
Within the last 12 months, I've learned a lot of legal terminology and come to understand what it means. Then, when that terminology comes into use in a case, I can break it down for the customer and explain what it means to them in a jargon-free way.
Q: What difference has your course made to you over the past year?
Martin:
The main difference for me is that tasks which I'd have had to ask for support with in the past, I can now get on with doing myself, so I am more self-sufficient.
Emma:
I've really gained in confidence over the past year with all the new knowledge I've learned.
Q: What is the top tip you'd give to new apprentices starting out on their course?
Martin:
My top tip would be to plan your time well. If I was starting my apprenticeship again now, I would be sure to do that to prevent it from being stressful. Look at the tasks you need to do, prioritise them and plan enough time to do them, to make sure you have everything covered.
Even with the best plans, sometimes things don't go quite as you planned. When there's a lot of work to do in your day job, it can seem more difficult to find time for your apprenticeship work too. My advice would be to roll with the punches and keep going, because it will pay off in the long term.
Emma:
My top tip is to make a record of everything you learn. Even a chat you had with a colleague yesterday can be counted as your off-the-job time, as you've learnt a new skill. It's easier to keep a record as you go along than to think back afterwards and try and remember, so it's a good idea to keep a notebook on your desk which you can jot down notes in.
I would also say that it's important to keep motivated. At the start, it might seem like there is a lot to learn, but you'll get there by chipping away at it bit by bit.
Q: Why would you recommend an apprenticeship to others?
Martin:
Personally, I've found it challenging but very rewarding, so if that sounds like it might appeal to you I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship.
Emma:
I would really recommend it. For me, being able to learn what legal terms mean while applying them in the workplace is a really great way to get started in a legal career.