Would-be solicitors in the borough are being offered an alternative route into the profession thanks to a new six-year apprenticeship scheme being offered by Barking and Dagenham Council. 



The programme offers A-level students the opportunity to achieve full solicitor qualifications through a mix of on-the-job training and a fully-funded university law degree. 



The scheme means aspiring lawyers will be able to become qualified without the burden of getting into debt from university fees and student loans. 



The council is searching for two prospective solicitors to start the paid-apprenticeship in September later this year.



Councillor Sade Bright, Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills and Aspiration, said: “We’re proud to be able to play our part in encouraging young people to apply to join the legal profession by removing barriers that might have put them off.



“This is a fantastic opportunity for two driven individuals, and we look forward to supporting them to achieve their goals over the next few years.”



Applicants to the scheme must live in Barking and Dagenham and have achieved, or be predicted to achieve, a minimum of three B’s at A-level and five 4-9 grades at GCSE, including maths and English.



The deadline for applying is Saturday, 29 June 2019. For more information, visit our apprenticeships page.