Can you get an apprenticeship if you havent started or completed your FE1s?

MilkTheGroup

Is there any point approaching and applying to solicitors or firms for an apprenticeship if you have only just started studying for FE1s? I was under the impression that they don't want to hear from you unless you've completed them all...is this true?

NoQuarter

This would only be true for small to middle sized firms that only recruit when they are ready to take someone on, in this regard you would need your fe1s finished and be ready to go.

On the other hand the large firms recruit well in advance(which you've just missed for this year) so you dont need to have them done for the big firms.

squeky

My brother has all his law exams done and his LLB and all blackhall Fe1's done and passed and is doing a masters now as an add on in Dublin and still can't get an apprentice but johnny down the road gets apprentice and hasn't even started his Fe1's, Strange how that can happen, must be who he knows!!!

evercloserunion

A lot of students start applying to firms when they're in their final year of college, so haven't even done final college exams let alone FE1s. As has been said, smaller firms tend to look for people with a few FE1s under the belt.

The bigger firms generally hire a couple of years in advance so you have plenty of time to get the FE1s done. I'm not sure on this, but I'd say a majority of people who get offers have not done any FE1s when they get the offer.

_JOE_

Yes.

I was offered more than one training contract in my final year. And they were top 5 firms.

squeky

I'm not sure on this, but I'd say a majority of people who get offers have not done any FE1s when they get the offers.

yes as I said johnny down the road has no FE1's done and no masters in law either as an add on and he gets into the top firm due to who he knows and my brother is more qualified than any of them and Kant get anything, strange and wrong way the system works!!

dumbyearbook

Squeaky the person posting is asking if he should try to get a training contract He hasn't actually done it fair dues to your brother.

Who the f is Johnny? :rolleyes: PS don't begrudge one persons connections over your brothers apparent lack of one.

OP things are so competitive now there will be less offers of training contracts to those without fe1 there are way more people out there looking. If you can though get into an office as soon as you can and way to go for the proactivity.

squeky

Dumb yearbook,

I no what milkthegroup originally asked and I didn't begrudge him and wudnt do that, just that it's a tough system and wanted to show how hard it is to get an apprentice.

surely you have heard the term " Johnny down the road!!!!! Before:o it's an example of person my brother knows who got apprentice with no FE's at all, it's very tough system and I was giving my advice , it's not begrudging anybody..

law_lady

Speaking as someone with an apprenticeship which I got without having had any FE1s, and without any connections of any kind whatsoever in law circles, I sympathise with your brother but I think its unfair to say that those who got apprenticeships without FE1s, etc done only got them due to connections. From my experience that's not accurate at all.

To address the question asked, bigger firms hire at least a year in advance and will hire without FE1s or even college finals done. The smaller the firm the more likely FE1s are required before you apply. Also at this stage you're too late to apply for the big firms until late this year so maybe have a go at the FE1s between now and then, its an extra to have on the CV at any rate!

squeky

Well done law lady, I'm sorry if I offended anybody it wasn't my intention, I was just saying way I see things around my area and it's a tough system but didn't want to upset anybody. Best wishes to you all..

Sulu

Apprenticeships are fairly thin on the ground whatever you have under your belt. Agreed not all get apprentices get their apprenticeships through contacts but unfortunately it helps. An awful lot, I don't think that can be denied. Make sure you really wanna be a solicitor before embarking on the pain of your FE1s. I passed all mine, got so sick out sending out CVS with no results I jacked the whole thing in and started something new. Couldn't put my life on hold anymore. there is no support from the Law Soc in finding an apprenticeship, rather they let all these poor people study and pay astronomical prices to sit exams they have passed at university standard already (if they are law grads), and no incentives given to solicitors to take on new apprentices. The whole qualification system for solicitors needs to be tackled, its a pure joke money racket, but unfortunately young people who have to pay for these exams in both time and money are not the ones laughing. I'm delighted I jacked it in as I am now doing a course which offers work experience once I get into the course (not the ridiculous situation whereby I am dependent on someone to take me on in ordxer to get into the course - like solicitors) after which I qualify in my field. But, if you really wanna be a solicitor go for it. Best of luck.

TheoBoone

I would say that if your looking to get into a smaller firm, than contacts are going to be far more useful than if your trying to get into one of the larger firms. Most smaller firms tend to take on people based on who, and not what, they know. However larger firms are more likely to give you an interview based on your qualifications and experience.

Mind you, this is not Gospel and there are many people out there who would dispute this. The hard thing about getting good advice with relation to getting apprenticed, is that most people(myself included) haven't gotten it yet, and so might not be as much help as someone who has.