National Apprenticeship Week 2023 - hear from Joinab Ahmed
National Apprentice Week (NAW) is a national event that takes place annually in the UK to promote and celebrate the benefits of apprenticeship programmes. This year, it is taking place on Monday 6th Feb – Sun 12th Feb 2023.
The theme for this year focuses on 'Skills for Life', which aims to showcase the value and variety of skills and knowledge individuals gain to succeed in their chosen careers and beyond.
To celebrate this year's National Apprentice Week (NAW) from Monday 6th February to Sunday 12th February 2023 we're hearing from Joinab Ahmed and her journey as a Paralegal Apprentice at Addleshaw Goddard.
What subjects did you study at A-Level?
I studied Law, Applied Science and Health and Social Care.
Why did you choose an apprenticeship over university or other options?
I chose to do an apprenticeship for numerous reasons. An apprenticeship is the combination of work and off the job study meaning I am already getting the exposure of working in an International law firm, whilst working alongside legal professionals. By doing an apprenticeship I am already putting my foot into the legal field straight out of sixth form at 18 years old, gaining years of experience working in the field whilst also gaining my qualifications at the same time. By the time I am qualified I would have had years of experience and skills developed.
How did you come across the apprenticeship opportunities at Addleshaw Goddard?
I came across the firm and the apprenticeship through the Legal Access Week which was provided by AG to my sixth form. This was a week long experience where I had the opportunity to get an insight on what the firm is like and the culture within the firm. As well as having the opportunity to listen to partners, trainees and apprentices about their day to day work and much more.
How will an apprenticeship benefit your future career aspirations?
An apprenticeship benefits my aspirations on becoming a solicitor as I am already gaining experience so early on in my professional career.
What has been your highlight at Addleshaw Goddard so far?
There have been multiple occasions which I'd class as my highlights of AG. One which particularly sticks out to me, would be the social mobility outreach programme, held on October 2022. This involved my colleagues and I going into a high school to participate in mock interviews with year 10s and 11s. This stuck out to me, as exactly a year ago, on October 2021, I was participating in the Legal Access Week with AG. I think it is extremely important these schemes/opportunities are provided by the firm as this raises aspirations and informs others that there are different routes into law.