THE TRAINING CONTRACT MARKET

1
THE TRAINING CONTRACT MARKET

• In 2006-7, 6,012 contracts were registered
• Most in private practice firms
• But also
• In house
• Public sector
• Not for profit sector

2
DIVERSITY BETWEEN TRAINING CONTRACTS

• Salary expectations
• Client
• Responsibility
• Level of supervision
• Working environment

3
TIMING YOUR APPLICATIONS

• 2 years in advance
• Large firms (international, city, national,
  regional)
• Government Legal Service
• Some Local Authorities
• Some in-house organisations
• Medium sized firms (City, central London,
  provincial)

4
TIMING contd

• 1 year in advance
• Smaller, more mixed practices
• Well established or larger publicly funded firms
• Some in-house organisations
• Some local authorities
• Magistrates Courts
• Crown Prosecution Service

5
TIMING contd

• Months or weeks in advance
• Smaller mixed (high street)
• Smaller publicly funded practices
• Occasional local authorities
• Occasional in house organisations

6
THE RIGHT APPROACH

• Dont be an unusual candidate
• Make your application conform where possible
• What value added elements can you contribute?

7
IDENTIFYING RELEVANT SKILLS

• Skills common to all employers needs
• Teamwork
• Organisational
• Prioritisation
• Negotiation
• Time management
• Leadership
• Communication
• Relationship building

8
IIDENTIFYING SKILLS contd

• Sector specific skills
• Entrepreneurialism
• Creative thinking
• Business acumen/common sense
• Coping with stress
• Patience
• Advocacy
• Stamina
• Assertiveness
• Empathy

9
Contd

• Good judgement
• Professional detachment
• Knowledge of other agencies
• Strong research skills
• Strong interviewing skills

10
WHERE TO LOOK FOR VACANCIES

• www.lawcareers.net
• www.prospects.ac.uk
• www.chambersandpartners.com
• www.lawgazette.co.uk
• www.targetjobs.co.uk
• www.lexonthenet.co.uk
• www.lapg.co.uk
• www.lgjobs.com

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ANY QUESTIONS?
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• FIND OUT MORE
• www.college-of-law.co.uk/perfectforpractice