Vincents launches new apprenticeship programme

Vincents Solicitors has launched a new apprenticeship programme with bespoke training paths for individual trainees, to support their personal development and the firm’s future growth. 

Solicitor Yasmine Dragan has been appointed training principal to drive the new programme and will work alongside human resources lead Katie Elsworth.

 The scheme seeks to upskill and reward staff who want to achieve a higher level qualification in both the legal and business support departments. 

 The initiative recognises the value offered to firms and employees by the many non-traditional routes into the law which are now available says Yasmine, who will help design each programme, act as a training mentor, oversee work, and sign off stages.

Yasmine said: "We want to support the ambitions of our employees with a training programme that meets the needs of the firm, our clients, and each person’s individual circumstances.

 "We’re investing in our team to reward hard work and ambition, and strengthen the firm for the future. Providing alternative routes into the profession is part of the inclusive, modern approach we’re taking to ensuring we have the right people in the right roles to best serve our clients and the community of Lancashire for many years to come,” she added.   

Established 25 years ago as a personal injury specialist in Garstang, the firm has a relentless drive for growth and improvement and has evolved to provide a range of legal services to both private and corporate clients across the UK. 

Vincents is committed to creating a supportive, inclusive workplace where every employee is valued and empowered to thrive, and employs more than 120 people across seven Lancashire offices.

Trainees can be employed at any level within the firm and will work towards a range of qualifications depending on individual requirements, making the most of Vincents’ decision to partner with a number of different training providers.

Courses will be tailored to their desired qualification - to become a conveyancer, wills and probate specialist, or fully qualified solicitor, for example - and their personal circumstances. 

Yasmine has 21-years’ experience in law, working as a paralegal and legal assistant before undertaking her law degree at the University of Lancashire as a mature student as part of the Professional Apprenticeship route. The closure of that programme nationally was a further catalyst to Vincents launching its own apprenticeship programme.

Over the last 25 years, Vincents has supported many of its employees through training, prioritising internal promotion and reward where possible. 

Katie Elsworth, HR lead, said: “We have fantastic people who are committed to doing a great job for our clients; from the highly-experienced and fully-qualified senior solicitors, to our more junior staff who are looking to progress. 

 “That supportive ethos is important to us. In-house training means we can ensure the quality of learning, instil a strong understanding of Vincents’ specific practices, and hopefully engender a loyalty which will strengthen the firm over the longer term.”

Apprenticeship programmes are also being offered to external candidates, focusing on areas of high growth where additional resource is needed, or where the company anticipates gaps in the future due to retirement or internal promotion. 

Katie added: “We’re delighted that our first act is to acknowledge Yasmine with this new training principal role.

"She is the ideal person to lead this initiative having recently successfully completed several of the qualifications, so understands the distinct requirements of each one, and the challenges of balancing working, studying and family life."