STUDENTS from South Eastern Regional College have completed a training and mentoring programme with Allen & Overy, as part of a unique course designed to bolster expertise in the legal market.
The four-month Document Skills Foundation Course is the only training programme in Northern Ireland to let students experience the fast pace of a global law firm and learn the technical skills required to manage legal documents.
Students are given training on legal text processing, speed keying and digital transcription.
Last year, more than half of the trainees taking part in year one secured offers of employment before graduation, including three who joined the ranks in A&O.
Paula Feeney, document services manager at Allen & Overy’s support service centre in Belfast, said: “This course is not just about creating great Allen & Overy employees, but equipping people with knowhow that can benefit the business community.
“Opportunities are available for those with the right skills to develop rewarding careers in the legal sector.
We hope to confirm a number of hires once the students complete the course in February.”
Thompson Keating, director of corporate and economic development at SERC, said: “This programme is about providing people with practical, sought-after skills by focusing our joint efforts on solving the skills gaps issues.
“This course is a powerful demonstration of how further education colleges and the private sector are working together to support employment and economic development.”