Nurturing young talent - How one Scottish firm is leading the charge with apprenticeships

One of three legal firms making it to the finals of the QA Scotland Apprenticeship Awards, Harper Macleod is committed to nurturing young talent through its apprenticeship scheme.

The annual Scottish Apprenticeship Week (which this year ran from 3 to 7 March) highlights growing recognition of the value of modern apprenticeships. As more organisations embrace digital, technical and data apprenticeships, the variety of career opportunities across the spectrum has become increasingly apparent. And for the first time, the annual QA Scotland Apprenticeship Awards feature three legal firms among the finalists, showcasing the significant impact apprenticeships are having in the legal sector.

One of these firms, Harper Macleod stands out for its commitment to nurturing young talent through its apprenticeship scheme. “We have always worked on a ‘grow your own’ basis,” says the firm’s HR director Rona Cargill, “and apprenticeships give young people the opportunity to experience the firm and grow into the right role for them across the various departments.”

Robust strategy

As one of Scotland’s leading law firms, Harper Macleod has embraced apprenticeships as a cornerstone of its recruitment and development strategy, setting a benchmark for others in the industry.

In partnership with QA, Scotland’s largest training provider of digital, data and technical apprenticeships, Harper Macleod has transformed the careers and lives of many young individuals. A shining example is Beth Currie, who began her journey as an apprentice and has now graduated with a CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma.

“Over the past 15 years, we have integrated 61 past and current apprentices into our workforce,“ Rona says, “with 15 recruited since March 2024 alone.”

The firm offers apprentices a real opportunity to learn and grow, evidenced by the fact that 35% of past apprentices have moved into promoted roles. This success is attributed to the tailored development programmes (delivered by QA), mentoring and the recently launched internal development programme designed as a follow-on to the apprenticeship programme.

Pathway to success

The apprenticeship programme at Harper Macleod is more than just a starting point; it is a pathway to a successful career. The firm supports and develops each individual to reach their full potential, whether that means excelling in their recruited role or exploring new opportunities within the firm. Following the apprenticeship, young people participate in an internal development programme that helps them form the skills and habits necessary for any future career path. This programme, designed in collaboration with the apprentices, includes a mix of classroom learning and practical application, ensuring that the skills learned become lifelong habits

Many Harper Macleod apprentices have progressed beyond their own expectations, with success stories spanning various departments, including paralegals, human resources (HR), learning and development (L&D), marketing and technical support. One notable achievement this year is an early apprentice qualifying with a degree-equivalent L&D qualification, demonstrating the immense potential of young talent.

All apprentices are offered permanent contracts on the Real Living Wage from the outset, regardless of age. Harper Macleod provides an extensive support network, including an apprentice forum, mentoring, buddy programmes, progression opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and social events. This year, the L&D team rolled out a junior support programme, led by former apprentice Beth Currie, which has been well-received among employees at the earlier stages of their careers or in more junior positions.

Forward-thinking approach

Harper Macleod’s forward-thinking approach to apprenticeships is evident in its continuous implementation of new support methods. For example, the firm launched a programme this year to equip junior support teams with essential life skills needed for career progression. Many apprentices have also been given opportunities for further learning, such as the paralegal qualification and the CIPD Level 5 L&D Diploma.

This investment has yielded significant returns, with 63 colleagues either working towards or having completed an apprenticeship, representing 14% of the workforce. Of these, 24 are currently working towards an apprenticeship or have completed one in the past year, and 21 have moved into promoted roles across various departments.

Alison Cantle, marketing manager at QA Scotland, says: “Harper Macleod exemplifies how law firms can embrace apprenticeships to nurture young talent and build a skilled, dedicated workforce. Gone are the days when an apprenticeship meant three years of training in manual skills; today’s modern apprenticeships are designed for Scotland’s future workforce.

“With apprentices in legal firms developing careers in departments as varied as HR, compliance, IT support and legal administration, an apprenticeship grounding and training is the way forward for young talent to flourish.”

Other law firms across Scotland are encouraged to follow this exemplary model and consider incorporating an apprenticeship hiring strategy into their recruitment processes.