From Apprentice to Legal Secretary: Eliza-Rose’s Journey with Withers LLP

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2026 runs from 9–15 February 2026 and is the 19th annual, nationwide celebration of apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses, and the wider UK economy. This week brings together apprentices, employers, training providers, parents, schools, colleges, and skills organisations to shine a light on the opportunities apprenticeships create — be that workplace skills, career pathways, or routes into professional sectors like law, engineering, finance, digital and more. Throughout the week there are events, toolkits, and shared stories designed to inspire, inform and champion apprenticeships as a route to lifelong skills and fulfilling careers.

To mark this year’s celebration, we spoke to Eliza-Rose Richards, Client Services Co-ordinator at Withers LLP, about her journey into the legal sector, how completing a Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship helped her grow, and the advice she’d give to others considering this route.

Which apprenticeship did you complete?

I completed the Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship.

How old were you when you started your apprenticeship?

I was 17 years old when I started.

What made you choose this apprenticeship, and how did you hear about it?

I wanted to get into work as soon as possible, and at my age, an apprenticeship felt like the best route. I already knew I was interested in business administration, as I had studied it briefly at college. When I saw a job advertisement for a Business Administration apprenticeship at a law firm, I knew straight away that it was something I wanted to go for.

Did you have any prior experience in law or administration before starting?

No, I didn’t have any prior experience in law. My only background was studying Business at college.

What does your current role involve?

Since completing my apprenticeship, I’ve been promoted, and my current role is now fully secretarial. This includes booking travel, organising lunches and meetings, sending Zoom invites externally, and liaising with clients and other external bodies.

While I was completing my apprenticeship, my role involved a range of administrative tasks such as sending post, organising cupboards and original documents, and supporting with client onboarding by completing the firm’s client due diligence packs. It gave me great exposure to how a law firm operates day to day.

How has the apprenticeship helped you develop professionally or personally?

The apprenticeship really helped me develop my communication skills, particularly over the telephone. This was something I wasn’t comfortable with at first, but the apprenticeship encouraged me to use different forms of communication as part of my role, which really built my confidence.

It also helped me with prioritising tasks, which I used to struggle with. I spoke openly about this with my tutor, Anne, who gave me really helpful tips and tricks to manage my workload more effectively. I still use these skills in my current role, and I’ve found that my organisation and time management have improved hugely.

What kind of support did you receive from CILEX Law School?

The progress reviews were especially helpful, as they allowed me to reflect on my goals and see how I was progressing against them. I always felt supported during these sessions, particularly during the welfare section, where we discussed things like current events or safety concerns around working in London.

In the lead-up to my End Point Assessment (EPA), Anne was always on hand to help whenever I found parts of the process challenging, which made a huge difference.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your apprenticeship?

Definitely achieving a distinction at the end!

Have there been any challenges, and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges came when I was promoted, as I was suddenly juggling a completely new role with a different workload alongside preparing for my EPA. I overcame this by taking a step back and speaking openly with both my manager and my Learning and Development Adviser, which really helped me get through that period.

What are your future career plans?

I plan to continue working in law as a legal secretary. At the moment, I don’t plan on completing a legal apprenticeship, but I’m excited to keep developing in my current role.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about doing an apprenticeship?

Definitely do it! There’s no way I would have been able to work full time in London at 17 without an apprenticeship. It’s an amazing opportunity to earn, learn and gain real workplace experience.

Final Thoughts

National Apprenticeship Week is a great time to explore apprenticeship routes and celebrate how they build skills for life, boost confidence, and unlock real career opportunities. If you’re curious about apprenticeships — whether you’re a student, career changer, employer, or parent — there are lots of resources, events and support available to help you learn more and get involved.

👉 Find out more about National Apprenticeship Week 2026: https://naw.appawards.co.uk/