The skills factor

As a solicitor who has spent his working life in industry, I have no detailed knowledge of current training contracts, but I was more than surprised to read that, according to its head of graduate recruitment, Jamie Brown, it costs Taylor Joynson Garrett 'in excess of 100,000' to train a trainee (see [2002] Gazette, 16 May, 24).

I understand that in the top City firms trainee solicitors' salaries are high, but my experience is that the better the firm the more likely it is that those trainees contribute significantly to actual work done by the firm.

I know I did real work during my articles.

I assume Mr Brown's figure is a gross one consisting of two years' salary and other benefits as well as overheads.

I wonder what the figure is net of work actually performed by Taylor Joynson Garrett trainees during their contracts?

Finally, Mr Brown says he does not want trainees to leave because of the money and time his firm has invested in them, but if trainees leave to work elsewhere surely any investment 'losses' are set off by the skills of those who join the firm after being trained elsewhere?

Michael Varcoe-Cocks, solicitor, London