On the 26th of November, the government announced their Autumn Budget 2025- containing a number of announcements that are especially relevant to a firm like ours. This is also significant for young people considering joining a law firm via an apprenticeship route.
What the Budget announced
- The government is allocating £725 million under the new Growth and Skills Levy to support apprenticeships- including fully funding apprenticeships for under-25s at Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs).
- For SMEs hiring under-25s, the usual 5% “co-investment” payment required from employers has been scrapped-meaning that the apprenticeship training becomes essentially free for eligible SMEs.
- The Budget also includes plans to reform the broader apprenticeship system-streamlining standards, introducing new “short-course” apprenticeship units from April 2026 and making it easier for employers to take on and train apprentices.
What this means for small businesses and SMEs (like law firms)
For SMEs- particularly professional services firms such as law practices- these changes significantly lower the cost and administrative barrier of taking on apprentices.
Rather than employers having to contribute towards training costs, under the new rules, eligible apprentices under 25 can be trained at no training cost to us.
This opens up a meaningful opportunity to bring in young talent, invest in their development and build our team in a way that’s cost-effective and socially responsible.
Why this matters for Attwells
At Attwells, we believe strongly in nurturing the next generation of legal professionals- giving ambitious young people a structured path into law without the debt burden associated with university degrees. The Budget’s changes are directly aligned with that belief.
We see this as a potentially transformative moment for our apprenticeship programme. With training costs funded by government support, we can potentially:
- Expand the number of apprentices we take on
- Offer apprenticeships to a broader range of under-25 candidates
We can also continue to provide a high-quality training experience and make improvements- knowing the firm’s financial burden is reduced.
For us at Attwells Solicitors, the government’s new investment in apprenticeships feels particularly exciting, as it strengthens something we have always believed in: opening doors to the next generation of legal talent.
A message to aspiring professionals
If you are under 25 and thinking about starting a legal career , now could be an excellent time to consider an apprenticeship. Through our programme at Attwells Solicitors, you can:
- Get hands-on experience in a real law firm
- Learn on the job whilst earning a salary (avoiding university debt)
- Benefit from a training programme fully supported under the new government funding rules
We welcome interest from college-leavers, or anyone under 25- whether you have prior experience or are completely new to law.
If you are interested in applying to our apprenticeship schemes, you can find further information under the current vacancies tab on our website.
