Apprenticeships at Carpenters Group Creating Pathways Into Law
For Frankie Jackson, a Legal Administration Assistant in the Serious Injury team, joining Carpenters Group marked the start of a long-term ambition to build a career in law.
Through a CILEX Paralegal Apprenticeship, a recognised route into the legal profession that combines workplace experience with formal study, she is gaining hands-on experience while working towards becoming a qualified lawyer. Along the way, she is surrounded by colleagues who have successfully followed the same path and build rewarding legal careers of their own.
After being introduced to the opportunity by a friend, Frankie heard consistently positive feedback about life at Carpenters Group, particularly around how supportive and approachable people are. With an existing interest in law but no clear path into the profession, an apprenticeship stood out as the right place to begin. With encouragement from her family, Frankie decided to apply.
“I knew I wanted to work in law, but I didn’t want to just learn about it in theory. The apprenticeship meant I could get stuck in and understand how it actually works in practice.”
From her first days in the role, Frankie felt welcomed by the team. Colleagues were approachable and willing to help, creating an environment in which asking questions and learning from others felt encouraged, rather than daunting. The support she received helped her settle quickly and build confidence in a completely new industry.
Working within the Serious Injury team, which supports clients affected by life-changing injuries and fatal collisions, Frankie plays an important role in helping cases progress through the legal process. She works closely with colleagues, clients and external stakeholders, contributing to the preparation and management of complex claims while gaining valuable experience in this specialist area of law.
Being part of this area of the business has given her early exposure to complex work, as well as a better understanding of the responsibility that comes with it.
“You’re aware quite quickly of the impact these cases have on people. It makes you really think about the role you play, even at an early stage in your career.”
Starting in an administrative position has given Frankie a strong foundation, not just in how a legal firm operates, but in how cases develop over time. Whilst progressing through the CILEX Paralegal Apprenticeship, Frankie is able to connect what she learns with the real work she is delivering each day.
Her studies feed directly into her role, helping her understand legal principles in context rather than in isolation. At the same time, the practical experience helps bring those concepts to life in a way that builds confidence much more quickly.
“The experience I have gained as part of the team has helped everything fall into place a lot quicker. You’re not just learning something and moving on, you’re seeing it in real situations, which makes it stick.”
Working alongside experienced colleagues has also shaped how she sees her future. Seeing the range of careers across the team and the opportunities available within Carpenters Group, has given Frankie a clearer picture of where her own journey could lead.
“You can see exactly where the role can lead because you’re working with people who’ve done it. That makes a big difference when you’re just starting out.”
Support has been a consistent part of her experience. Within the team, there is always someone available to provide guidance, whether that’s helping with a task or talking through a process. Feedback is part of day-to-day work, which has helped her develop quickly.
The structure of the apprenticeship also plays a key role. Frankie has a dedicated study day each week, allowing focus fully on coursework, alongside support from apprenticeship coach, Shona Ratcliffe, Emerging Talent and Development Advisor, who helps guide her progress.
Balancing work and study brings its challenges, but it has also helped Frankie build strong organisational skills and a sense of responsibility for her own development.
“It takes discipline to keep on top of both work and study, but you get into a routine. Having that time set aside for study really helps me stay focused.”
Coming from a marketing background, adapting to a legal environment brought new challenges, particularly around terminology and processes.
Over time, Frankie has grown more confident in the role, becoming more comfortable handling tasks independently and contributing to the team. One moment that stands out so far is attending a client visit alongside a CILEX lawyer, which gave her valuable insight into how cases are handled beyond the office.
“It’s easy to get caught up in the process side of things, but being at a client visit, face to face with the individual you are working on behalf of brings it back to why the work matters.”
As she progresses at Carpenters Group, Frankie is focused on continuing along the CILEX pathway, with the long-term aim of qualifying as a lawyer. With clear examples of progression within the Serious Injury team and across the wider business, she sees Carpenters Group as a place where she can build a long-term career.
“It feels like somewhere you can stay and keep moving forward. You’re learning all the time, but you can also see where it’s taking you.”
Frankie’s experience highlights how an apprenticeship can provide not only a route into law, but the confidence, support and practical experience needed to build a successful career.
