Learning and Development | Trainee benefits
At Hill Dickinson, we’ll keep encouraging you to further yourself through education – whether that’s embarking on a legal training programme, or just asking your supervisor for a bit of guidance. We'll always try our best to equip you with the resources you need to gain that edge over your competitors at all times.
There are a whole host of brilliant opportunities for our trainees.
Not only do we deliver specialised legal training as standard, delivered by internal and external barristers, market-leading experts, universities and business schools, we also give you:
A comprehensive induction programme – We’ll kick off your learning curve with one of the best induction programmes around. On top of our LPC+ scheme , you’ll receive in-depth training in the technical skills you’ll need in IT, finance and compliance. You’ll start your first seat feeling focused and sure of what is expected of you.
The Professional Skills Course, with extra electives – The Training Regulations 1990 outline that it is compulsory for trainee solicitors to successfully complete the Professional Skills Course (PSC). Hill Dickinson will pay your PSC fees and allow you paid study leave to complete the course. Outside the compulsory electives set by the SRA, we have added two more which we think are also essential: ‘Legal writing skills’ to ensure your professional writing is as accurate and clear as it needs to be, and ‘The law firm as a commercial enterprise’, where you’ll work on your commercial awareness by finding out how a law firm works as a business –understanding how to manage people, how clients select a lawyer, how good and bad business practice can affect profit margins and the importance of strategic thinking.
Networking courses – As a lawyer, building effective relationships with your clients is vital for business development. As a trainee, we know you may not be 100% confident in this area at the start of your career. We offer networking courses to help you develop the skills needed to successfully gain new business contacts and meet and engage with clients confidently.
Personal impact courses – Since you’ll be moving seats every six months, you’re going to want to make a lasting impression on the clients and colleagues you meet. Our personal impact courses will give you some great pointers on how to make the right impression in each of your four seats.
Appraisals – Members of our trainee team will provide you with both formal and informal appraisals during and at the end of each of your seats. This will be your chance to discuss any new areas of learning you would like to explore. We’ll try our best to make sure you get the support you need from us.