The Solicitors Regulation Authority has marked National Apprenticeship Week by announcing that apprentices are outperforming other candidates taking the Solicitors Qualifying Examination.

The SQE, which came into force in 2021, will eventually replace the Legal Practice Course. Candidates must pass two sets of assessments – SQE1 and SQE2 – and complete two years of qualifying work experience.

The SRA announced that in the first year of introducing the new route to qualification, more than 100 apprentices took the exam across three assessment sittings. Apprentice pass rates were on average 25.3% higher than the overall pass rate. Apprentices gained marks that were on average 8% higher than other candidates.

The regulator added that 21 apprentices have qualified as solicitors since the SQE was introduced and more than 1,300 solicitor apprentices are currently going through the programme.

SRA chief executive Paul Philip said: ‘Apprenticeships are a great way to encourage more talented people from all backgrounds to become solicitors. They are an attractive option for those who want a more affordable way into the profession, and who want to gain early experience of legal practice. It can also be a good option for employers looking to recruit and shape new talent.

‘The SQE provides assurance that all qualifying solicitors have been assessed to the same standard. It is early days for this pathway, but the initial signs are positive. The mix of learning and “on the job” experience is helping apprentices gain the skills and knowledge they need to be a solicitor.’

A growing number of law firms have introduced solicitor apprenticeships, including north London legal aid firm Wilson Solicitors, which picked up an award for its apprenticeship scheme last year.

The SRA said the apprenticeship pathway, created in 2015, provides an alternative to the traditional qualification route through university and offers aspiring solicitors in England the chance to ‘earn as they learn’, while their training and exam costs are covered.

Typically, apprenticeships takes five to six years to complete. All apprentices must pass the SQE assessment to qualify. Employers also benefit as up to 95% of the costs of the training can be covered through the apprenticeship levy fund, the SRA added.

A legal apprenticeship framework up to Level 5 in Wales was introduced last year.