A FIRM has received ministerial praise for an apprenticeship scheme encouraging non-law graduates and school leavers to enter the legal profession.

To mark National Apprenticeship Week - which runs from March 5 to 9 - minister for Welsh language and lifelong learning, Eluned Morgan, has highlighted the work of Watkins & Gunn.

Since 2012, eight people have enrolled on the programme across Watkins & Gunn’s three offices in Pontypool, Newport and Cardiff.

Of these, three are now qualified as legal executives - through the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives - and one has gone on to further training to become a solicitor.

Eluned Morgan AM said: “Watkins & Gunn is just one example of a company benefitting from the chance to train the next generation in the specialist skills it needs within its organisation.

“Apprenticeships are a key investment for employers and play an important role in improving the skills and nurturing the talent of Wales as a whole.”

Danielle Jameson, of Cwmbran, is currently training with Welsh Law firm Watkins & Gunn starting as a general secretary before moving into the wills and probate department.

The 24-year-old joined the firm after completing her A-levels and described the programme as “fascinating”.

“I’d never really thought about a legal career before but found the work really interesting, so when I was offered the chance to join the apprenticeship programme to qualify as a legal executive I decided to go for it,” she said.

Managing partner of Watkins & Gunn, Clive Thomas, said the competitive admission process for studying law at university “deters many people from applying and results in others missing out on the opportunity.”

He added training to qualify as a solicitor can be “incredibly expensive” with the rise of tuition fees - costing in excess of £10,000 in some cases- with many struggling to find a training contract with a law firm at the end of it.

“We believe our apprenticeship programme offers a good alternative route to a legal career through practical, on-the-job training,” he said.

The apprenticeship programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.

For more information on adopting an apprenticeship scheme as an employer,visit businesswales.gov.wales/skillsgateway/apprenticeships, call 03000 6 03000 or visit www.facebook.com/apprenticeshipscymru