National Apprenticeship Week 2026: Shaping Early Legal Careers
As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we’re proud to highlight the journeys of our apprentices who are building their futures through alternative routes.
One of them is Adam Malik, who joined Carpenters Group straight from college as a Legal Admin Assistant and is now developing his career as a Paralegal Apprentice.
Adam is part of a cohort of four Carpenters Group colleagues currently undertaking the Paralegal Apprenticeship. Our structured early‑careers programme is designed to help new talent grow with confidence and support.
As a Legal Admin Assistant, Adam has quickly become an important part of the team. His role gives him early exposure to meaningful legal work, including reviewing medical records, supporting case administration, updating clients and attending conferences. It’s a level of experience that’s shaping his understanding of the sector from the ground up.
“I wanted to learn through real work, not just theory. An apprenticeship gives you responsibility early on, and that’s what appealed to me.”
From his first day at Carpenters Group, Adam felt supported and encouraged to grow. He credits his manager, Peter Parsonage, and colleague, Bobby Jo Doherty, with helping him settle quickly. Bobby Jo is currently completing the Solicitor Apprenticeship and is due to achieve her degree this year, something Adam finds incredibly motivating.
“They’ve both been amazing. Seeing someone like Bobby Jo progressing through the solicitor route shows you what’s possible. It’s inspiring to have someone like that guiding you.”
Over the past few months, Adam has seen a real shift in his confidence and capability. He’s proud of the progress he’s made and how much he’s learnt in a short space of time. Organisation, in particular, has become a key skill. He knew it was important, but working at Carpenters has shown him just how essential it is in a legal environment where accuracy and structure matter every day.
One of the things that surprised him most is the culture of the team around him. The willingness of colleagues to pause what they’re doing to help has been reassuring during his early development.
“When you’re new, you worry about asking for help. But everyone here is so supportive. It takes the pressure off and helps you focus on learning.”
His apprenticeship will help him shape his long‑term ambitions. He hopes to progress to the Solicitor Apprenticeship in the future, something he now sees as a realistic goal. The practical experience he’s gaining is giving him a strong foundation to build on.
“This apprenticeship will help me figure out the path I want to take. Becoming a solicitor is definitely something I want to work towards.”
If someone were considering applying for an apprenticeship at Carpenters Group, Adam’s advice would be simple. “Go for it”. He believes it’s one of the best ways to develop both personal and professional skills while earning and learning at the same time. His advice for new starters is simple but valuable: stay open to learning and take things one step at a time.
“It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at first but focusing on the next task, not everything at once, makes a big difference.”
Adam’s journey so far reflects the value of apprenticeships in giving people a meaningful start to their careers. We’re proud to support him and all our apprentices as they continue to grow, learn and shape the future of our industry.
