Teen glad to be an office apprentice

THE legal profession in Essex is the latest sector to embrace the new era of apprenticeship schemes. Sam Francis, 17, is now an established member of the administration team at the Basildon solicitors’ firm Birkett Long.
 
He opted for an office apprenticeship rather than burden himself with student debt.

He made the move after achieving nine GCSEs at Basildon’s Woodlands School and 4 A/S levels at Palmers College, Grays.

Sam said: “I wanted to try my hand at getting work experience right away, rather than wait three or four years before entering the workplace.

“If I had gone to university I would have ended up with a big student debt, and probably worrying about job prospects at the end of it.”

Sam found the apprenticeship with the help of TheLightBulb organisation, the Basildon-based company that works in partnership with the Government to deliver funded apprenticeships. Now he has become such a valuable member of the team staff at the firm say they cannot do without him.

Martin Hopkins, a solicitor and partner at Birkett Long, said: “We chose Sam from a shortlist of four candidates provided by TheLightBulb.

“Sam just shone. He has come in with enthusiasm, along with a real desire to learn how we operate as a law firm and as a business.

“Our Basildon office has grown considerably since we opened our branch here in October 2011, and things have been very busy. Sam’s contribution has been invaluable and we have also gained because he brings a new, young perspective to the office.”

Sam’s work at the office includes including meeting and greeting clients, archiving, and supporting other staff in the office.

Sam said: “This is my first job and it has been brilliant. I love it. I would love to go further with Birkett Long. The firm has a financial services department, and that’s an area that interests me in particular.”

His apprenticeship contract runs for a year and at the end of it, after assignments, assessments and regular support from staff at TheLightBulb, Sam will receive a NVQ qualification in business admin.

Cheryl Burness, Birkett Long’s office administrator, works with Sam every day.

She said: “He is fabulous. I am so glad we found him. He’s hardworking, absorbs everything like a sponge and he takes to everything very easily.”

For information about TheLightBulb,  call 0845 0310066 or visitthelightbulbapprenticeships.com