A-LEVELS: Collyer’s student chooses legal apprenticeship over university

Danielle Owen, 18, received three A-levels from the College of Richard Collyer in Horsham today, but decided against taking up a university offer.

Instead she accepted a Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Legal Services in the commercial property management department at law firm Thomas Eggar LLP in Gatwick.

Danielle said: “When the opportunity at Thomas Eggar came up I applied immediately. I had a conditional offer at a university but I knew it wasn’t for me. I’ve always been forward thinking and, knowing that so many university graduates are unemployed, I wanted to earn a salary and gain a qualification at the same time.”

Danielle’s mentor at Thomas Eggar will be Gemma Lawrence who is familiar with the CILEx route.

Gemma, who is a chartered legal executive, said: “Thomas Eggar LLP welcomes Danielle Owen as an apprentice to the Gatwick property team and I am looking forward to being an inspiring mentor having followed a similar route myself into law.

“I created my own informal apprenticeship route at Thomas Eggar 15 years ago after my A-levels: I started as a junior secretary with an agreement to start a sponsored CILEx qualification within 2 years. All went well and I qualified as a CILEx Fellow in 2005.”

Danielle’s apprenticeship, which starts in September, includes competence elements which teach the skills she will need in the workplace, as well as knowledge elements in the form of CILEx courses in law, practice and professional skills which are embedded in the qualification. She will be earning a salary of £12,500 per year and will also be entitled to 25 days’ paid holiday.

To find out more about legal apprenticeships visit CILeX’s website.