London—Dentons has launched a solicitor apprenticeship programme in the UK, offering in its first year up to four school leavers an alternative route to becoming qualified solicitors.

The Firm has been involved in the employer-led Trailblazer group, which designed the new Apprenticeship Standards, since its inception. The apprentices will join the London office in September 2017 and complete a six-year structured training programme combining work and study that will lead to direct qualification as a solicitor, as well as an LLB (Hons) Legal Practice degree awarded by BPP University Law School. Over the next few months the firm's recruitment team will be visiting a number of schools in London to inform students and teachers about the new apprenticeship scheme, branded "Your Bright Future".

Jeremy Cohen, CEO for the UK, Middle East and Africa, comments, "Diversity and inclusion is at the heart of our firm's culture, and we already work with a number of organisations with the objective of increasing access to the profession from under-represented groups. By broadening our recruitment activities to a much more diverse talent pool the apprenticeship programme advances Dentons' commitment to the social mobility agenda a stage further. We are very excited to be launching this initiative which will enable us to access talent that may be put off by the costs of university tuition or want to enter work at an earlier stage."

Dentons also works with Aspiring Solicitors, which is an organisation that aims to increase diversity in the legal profession by providing access, opportunity and assistance to aspiring solicitors from underrepresented groups. Dentons hosts networking events throughout the year for  students  who wouldn't normally have access to City lawyers. This gives them the opportunity to see inside a City law firm, ask questions and gain career advice. The Firm also provides 'Professional Ambassadors' to inspire and assist aspiring solicitors through on-line mentoring to students.

Dentons is also involved in the Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) London scholars programme which helps talented secondary school students from under represented communities across London improve their academic attainment and progression to university and elite careers. The Firm offers work experience to Year 12 school students which involves work shadowing, coaching and offering career guidance.

About Dentons

Across over 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organization by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com