Variety is the spice

I am nearing the end of my training contract after taking the legal practice course at the College of Law.

Before starting my training in family law, I regarded that area of practice as of no interest, and expected my time working in it to be at the burdensome cost of gaining experience in other areas.

Much to my surprise, I found family practice to be interesting and I am now considering specialising in it on qualification.

There is no better demonstration of the use, value and relevance of the training contract.

Without it, my preconceptions would not have been tested against a range of experience.

The desire of Nigel Savage, the college's chief executive, to abolish the training centre does not represent a realistic assessment of the needs of entrants to the profession.

If it is abolished, the college will be able to fill its marketing puff with the offer of a 'world-class internationally recognised business qualification' - but one of little practical value.

Abolition should be resisted.

If I could call myself a solicitor before any on-the-job training it would merely be a boast of success in exams, unrelated to any professional status.

I might also have lost the chance to practise in a field that I enjoy.

Greg Randall, trainee solicitor, Winstanley-Burgess, London