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Clifford Chance launches first legal project management apprenticeship to tap new talent market

25 June 2019

Clifford Chance launches first legal project management apprenticeship to tap new talent market

Clifford Chance has launched the first apprenticeship scheme dedicated to training legal project management experts, as the firm expands the use of world-class project management on its clients' most critical work. The apprenticeship will tap a new source of recruits, at a time when law firms face a tight market for legal project management talent.

Developed in partnership with apprenticeship specialists WhiteHat, the scheme will not only train apprentices in general project management skills, but also the legal project management tools and techniques being pioneered at Clifford Chance. The first round has recruited six students with level 3 BTEC/NVQ or equivalent (e.g. A-levels) to be Legal Project Executive apprentices in the London office. Successful applicants will join Clifford Chance in June 2019 on an 18 month contract which may convert to a permanent position at the end of the training period.

Kerstin Morgan, Best Delivery Programme Director, London explains: "With demand for legal project management on the increase, this is an exciting opportunity to recruit legal project executives so we can deliver world class project management on more of our clients' most important work.

"We are delighted to be working with WhiteHat, whose mission is to use apprenticeships to provide an outstanding alternative to university for young people from diverse backgrounds, and hope that in working together we can open up careers in the legal sector for students who might not have otherwise had the chance."

Michael Bates, UK Managing Partner, adds: “Clients are at least as enthusiastic about legal project management as we are. It already delivers better outcomes, and the potential will only increase as the tools and techniques we develop to deliver our work become more sophisticated.”

Euan Blair, Co-founder and CEO, WhiteHat adds: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Clifford Chance on such a pioneering scheme and can’t wait to see the programme and our apprentices develop over the next 18 months.

“Providing opportunities at some of the world’s best firms and in areas like the legal sector is key to changing perceptions and demonstrating that apprenticeships are a high quality alternative to the traditional university route.”

As well as vocational training, apprentices will each have a personal Coach to guide them through the qualification and ensure they reach their full potential. Apprentices will also have opportunities to network with peers through social events, sports teams, and insight/career days organised by WhiteHat.