FBC Manby Bowdler has appointed two legal and two non-legal apprentices to develop its workforce and offer key opportunities to young people.

Lillie Pritchard and Alyisha Arblaster are the firm’s first Apprentice Solicitors who will undergo a full-time six-year apprenticeship programme that will lead to a full LLB (Hons) degree in Legal Practice and their qualification as solicitors.

The apprenticeship, operated in conjunction with BPP University Law School, offers a work-based learning route to qualify as a solicitor.

FBC Manby Bowdler is believed to be one of the first firms in the region to offer this opportunity to young people.

Jade Higgins and Dixie Whitten have taken up roles within FBC Manby Bowdler as part of their 12-month Business Administration Apprenticeship.

Jade is currently working as a Compliance Assistant while Dixie’s first role is as an Assistant in the Marketing team. The pair will work across all areas of the business in a number of disciplines and earn a nationally recognised NVQ qualification, in conjunction with In-Comm Training.

Kim Carr, Managing Partner of FBC Manby Bowdler, explained the firm’s decision to start the apprenticeship schemes.

“We are very excited about the new opportunities we can now offer that give wider access to careers in the legal field to some of the very best candidates.

“Although the traditional route to a legal qualification is through university, we know that it is not an option for everyone and we felt that an apprenticeship programme would be a good way to harness some of the talent that we might otherwise miss out on.

 “The Business Administration Apprenticeship is all about learning and playing an important support role within the FBC Manby Bowdler team.

“We know that our people are our best asset and we hope that our new apprenticeship programmes will develop a continuous stream of future lawyers and support staff to help our business grow and thrive.”

FBC Manby Bowdler now employs more than 190 people at five offices in Wolverhampton, Willenhall, Shrewsbury, Telford and Bridgnorth and has an annual turnover of nearly £12 million.

Four of its departments - Commercial Litigation, Agriculture & Rural, Family and Contentious Trusts & Probate - were awarded Top Tier rankings in the latest Legal 500 independent guide to the region’s best law firms. Lawyers also appear annually in the Chambers’ recommendations of the country’s best solicitors.

It was named Customer Champion in the Shropshire Star Excellence in Business Awards 2016 for its commitment to client service.

For details of the firm’s 2017 apprenticeship schemes, call 01952 427 822 or click here.