To celebrate and promote National Apprenticeship Week we want to highlight the success MKB has had in recruiting apprentices into our firm and how that has created careers in the legal industry for the hard-working individuals that have joined us, as well as benefitting our firm by establishing our next generation of talent.

Here at MKB we have supported several apprentices through their NVQ qualifications with most students being promoted into full time employment after the completion of their apprenticeship.

We have found success in taking an apprentice through NVQ qualifications and then placing them into areas of our business that meet their interests and suit their talents, before providing further educational support to achieve their future goals.

We can highlight the journey of two former apprentices that are now well on the way to achieving their career aspirations with MKB.

Charlea’s story

Charlea Ogley joined MKB in October 2017 as an NVQ Level 2 Business Administration Apprentice based in the firm’s general office. During her time as an apprentice Charlea’s interest in law grew and on the completion of her NVQ in January 2019, Charlea became a Legal Secretary in our Dispute Resolution department.

Charlea’s hard work and determination impressed the Partners and in 2020 Charlea was enrolled onto CILEx – the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives – and is currently studying whilst working full time as a Trainee Legal Executive in the Employment and Dispute Resolution department under the tutelage of Senior Partner, Ben McFeely, and Helen Thompson, Associate Solicitor. Charlea hopes to complete her CILEx qualifications in due course with a view to cross qualifying as a Solicitor.

A flourishing legal career beckons for one of our rising stars.

Chloe’s story

Chloe Portman also joined MKB in October 2017 as an NVQ Level 2 Business Administration Apprentice and became an integral part of the general office team. Chloe’s in depth understanding of the firms archiving systems and her keen interest in accounting lead the Partners to offer Chloe a full-time position within the firms Accounts department and Chloe was enrolled on to AAT – the Association of Accounting Technicians, Chloe has now successfully completed the Level 2 Foundation level and is currently studying towards a Level 3 Advanced Diploma.

She studies whilst working full time in our Accounts department with a view to ultimately completing an AAT Level 4 Professional Diploma. Chloe’s works under MKB’s Practice Manager Tracy Smith who is FMAAT. Chloe has ambitions of ultimately assisting the Partners with the management of the firm.

Charlea and Chloe’s journeys are a great example of how an apprenticeship can open doors to work experience, permanent employment, further education, and a lifelong career path. We’re proud of the hard work and dedication both Charlea and Chloe have put into their work and studies so far, and can only see their careers prospering into the future.

Chloe and Charlea