BPP creates 'Access to Practice' scheme

BPP Law School has launched an 'Access to Practice' scheme to help students without contacts in the legal profession to secure training contracts.

The scheme, which was launched formally last month, will be run through BPP's careers service in Leeds, London and Manchester. Students have to apply to participate in the scheme, but those who do not have training contracts will be prioritised.

As part of the scheme students will be paired with practising lawyers at all levels who can offer advice, support and encouragement.

Sixty firms have already signed up to get involved in the scheme.

BPP chief executive Peter Crisp said the scheme will be particularly helpful to students from non-traditional backgrounds, as well as to mature and part-time students.

He added that the scheme will be reviewed at the end of the academic year and may be extended to the GDL.

Denton Wilde Sapte trainee Peter Impey said: "It's always a challenge to get your first job and some of the best candidates are overlooked - even Einstein was passed over in his applications to be a university lecturer."

Around 80 per cent of BPP's LPC students have training contracts at the start of the course.