City law firm RPC is launching an apprenticeship programme, starting in November 2018. Partnering with the University of Law (ULaw) and apprenticeship specialists Damar Training, RPC will be recruiting up to four apprentice paralegals. The apprentices will be following the UK government-approved Level 3 apprenticeship standard as part of a programme which will take two years to complete. Subject to further assessment, consideration will then be given to them starting the Level 7 solicitor apprenticeship programme with a view to becoming fully-qualified lawyers in the future.

Career opportunities

RPC partner and training principal Simon Hart said: 'We're very pleased to be getting this programme off the ground – it's an exciting new development in terms of the range of careers we offer here at RPC. An apprenticeship with RPC will give people fantastic career opportunities without some of the financial burdens that a more traditional route into a legal career would bring. We hope that will help attract a more diverse range of candidates to our junior talent programme at RPC.' RPC's managing partner James Miller says: 'As with our trainees, we want to attract highly motivated people who are keen to learn and progress their careers in a dynamic and supportive environment, whatever their background.'

Bristol

The RPC apprenticeship programme will initially be run out of the firm's office in Bristol, with a view to potentially extending it to London. RPC opened in Bristol in 2012, and now numbers almost 150 people in what is now its second largest office outside London.