Jacksons has seen a number of its staff complete their apprenticeship qualifications and have subsequently been offered a full-time role at the firm’s Teesside head office.
The apprentices, Sofie Kenworthy, Sam Maprangala, Ellie McGavigan, Tom Dorgan and Megan Galloway started their apprenticeship at Jacksons between 2018 and 2019. They all had to adapt to a different way of studying and working from home during the pandemic, from learning to use new technology, dealing with IT issues and building relationships with new tutors. However, they overcame the hurdles, remained motivated and worked really hard to achieve their goals.
Sofie Kenworthy will continue to work in Jacksons’ busy reception area where she has spent the last year, whilst assisting other departments including marketing. Administration assistants, Sam Maprangala and Megan Galloway have gained experience from having spent some time in the residential conveyancing department and will stay on to support the wider team. Ellie McGavigan, who moved from reception to the private client team, has been offered a trainee paralegal role to provide support to clients and the fee earners in the department. Finance trainee Tom Dorgan completed his apprenticeship in November 2020 and is now studying the AAT Level 3 whilst he carries out a wide range of tasks for the finance team.
Jacksons has been supporting apprentices for several years, in collaboration with apprenticeship programme providers in the region including Learning Curve and Middlesbrough College. Offering them real experience of working in a law firm, the apprentices are based across a range of departments including finance, conveyancing, commercial property, private client and reception. They are encouraged to take part in the firm’s wider activities including charity and social events, recording podcasts and writing blogs.
The firm is currently recruiting an apprentice for its Residential Conveyancing department in Newcastle, with plans being reviewed for further recruitment in 2021.
HR Manager Zoe Tweddle said, “We offer a lot of support and encouragement to the apprentices making sure that they are fully immersed within the departments across the firm. It is really rewarding to watch them grow in confidence and embrace the culture at Jacksons. Some of the team have even taken part in Jacksons’ Podcasts recently, talking about their experience at the firm.
“We host a monthly Apprentice Club where I get together with all of the apprentices to discuss everything from how to create a good first impression to staying safe online. It is fantastic that we are able to accommodate so many apprentices at Jacksons; at one point we had 10! It makes us very proud to be able to create genuine careers for young people in the region.”
Jacksons Law firm is one of the North East’s longest established law firms and has been practising in the Tees Valley for over 140 years. Operating from its head office in Stockton on Tees, an office in Newcastle upon Tyne and office space at the North East Business Innovation Centre in Sunderland, it is well placed to assist clients across the region on a wide range of business and personal legal advice.
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