HE Careers Advisors' Conference
Venue: BPP Law School, 2 Whitehall Quays, Leeds. LS1 4HG
Date: 3rd August 2010
BPP Law School will be holding a conference specifically for careers advisors working in higher education. Along with information dealing with current legal training issues and up-to-date news about BPP Law School, attendees will also have the opportunity to brush up on their legal training knowledge by attending a range of training seminars.
The conference has been designed to be relevant to a range of careers advisors - from those who specialise in law, to those who provide general careers advice. The day will also cater for experienced careers advisors along with those who are new to this area and would like the opportunity to learn more about key areas of law advice.
Agenda
| 10:00am | Arrival and Refreshments |
| 10:30am | Welcome and Introduction to BPP Law School |
| 10:50am | What’s new? Key updates from BPP |
| 11:15am | Break |
| 11:45am | The Current Issues in Legal Recruitment Husnara Begum, Lawyer2b |
| 12:15pm | Seminar Session One (choose one - details below) Option 1: Paralegalling – a necessary career option? Option 2: The Legal Services Act – what will be the impact for future lawyers? Option 3: The BPTC – what are the main changes? Option 4: A Beginner’s Guide to Law Careers Advice Option 5: Case Study: securing a training contract against the odds |
| 12:45pm | Lunch |
| 1:45pm | Seminar Session Two (choose one - details below) Option 2: The Legal Services Act – what will be the impact for future lawyers? Option 3: The BPTC – what are the main changes? Option 4: A Beginner’s Guide to Law Careers Advice Option 5: Case Study: securing a training contract against the odds |
| 2.15pm | MyLC.N, giving future lawyers the tools they need to succeed |
| 2:45pm | Final Questions and conclusion |
Seminar options
Option 1 |
Paralegalling – a necessary career option? Paralegalling is increasingly seen as a route to further legal experience and a way into a law firm and a training contract. According to a recent report from the UK Commission for Employment & Skills, the number of paralegals in England has increased by 109% form 2001 to 2010. The number of solicitors has increased by around 40% over the same period. |
Option 2 |
The Legal Services Act – what will be the impact for future lawyers? From October 2011 Alternative Business Structures will be allowed to obtain licences and law firms will need to assess their current business strategies. There are polarised views from members of the legal profession as to the future of legal services. This presentation will outline some of the potential changes in delivery of legal services and the impact on opportunities for future legal professionals. |
Option 3 |
The BPTC – what are the main changes? From September 2010 the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) will be renamed the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). The changes to the current course stem from the findings of the 2008 Wood Report based on concerns around the number of students who successfully completed the Bar Vocational Course. This session will address the main changes to the course and identify how HE Careers Advisers can deliver this information to their students. |
Option 4 |
Beginner's Guide to Law Careers Advice This workshop is the perfect introduction to legal careers advice for those new to this role. The workshop will explain the pathways within law and plan a typical 'careers timetable' for students. Qualification routes for intending solicitors and barristers will be explained along with the main differences between the professions. Practical advice for students including the importance of work experience and how to secure work placements will also be covered. |
Option 5 |
Case Study: securing a training contract against the odds Former BPP students will explain how they secured a training contract despite not having the traditional entry criteria excepted of trainees. They will talk about how they approached the application process and dealt with the hurdles they overcame. |