National Apprenticeship Week is a time to celebrate the power of apprenticeships to open doors, build confidence and create meaningful career pathways.
For Freya Foggo, completing her CILEX Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship was the first step in building a successful career in the legal sector — and it’s already led to promotion and progression.
At just 18 years old and leaving sixth form, Freya knew she wanted a role that combined practical experience with continued learning.
“I was looking for a role that would allow me to gain experience in the workplace whilst also allowing me to continue learning.”
She discovered the apprenticeship through a LinkedIn job advertisement with Withers. The opportunity stood out immediately — not just as a job, but as a structured way to build transferable skills that would support long-term career development.
Importantly, Freya began her apprenticeship with no prior experience in law or administration. The apprenticeship provided her with both the foundation knowledge and practical exposure needed to thrive.
Freya now works as a Client Services Co-ordinator at Withers, supporting divisional fee earners and Client Service Executives alongside client service specialists.
Her responsibilities include:
The real strength of the apprenticeship, Freya explains, was the direct link between her studies and her day-to-day responsibilities.
“The apprenticeship allowed me to apply my learning directly and therefore develop a greater understanding of my role.”
For example, while studying the fundamentals of business, she learned about different types of payment methods — knowledge she could immediately apply in her administrative duties, where processing payments was a daily task. This practical reinforcement helped build both competence and confidence.
A key part of Freya’s success was the structured support she received from CILEX Law School.
“Whilst completing my apprenticeship, I received amazing support from my CILEX tutor, Anne.”
Regular catch-up calls, progress reviews, webinars and accessible learning resources ensured she stayed on track. Additional sessions were organised to support her End-Point Assessment preparation, and her tutor was always available to answer questions.
This consistent guidance gave Freya the reassurance and structure needed to succeed in both her academic and professional development.
Like any professional journey, Freya’s apprenticeship wasn’t without challenges.
While organising an assessment centre as part of her CILEX project, crucial feedback she was relying on was lost by another department. Rather than allowing this setback to derail her progress, she proactively sought support from colleagues, her supervisor and her CILEX mentor. Together, they gathered fresh, relevant feedback that ultimately strengthened the process she was aiming to improve.
The experience reinforced valuable skills in communication, resilience and problem-solving — all essential qualities in the legal sector.
The most rewarding outcome? Career progression.
“The most rewarding part of my apprenticeship was gaining the vital skills that I needed in order to help progress in my career.”
On completing her apprenticeship, Freya was promoted to Client Services Co-ordinator, demonstrating the tangible impact that apprenticeships can have on career advancement.
Freya plans to continue developing within her current role, deepening her understanding of Real Estate and Corporate law and building on the strong foundation her apprenticeship has provided.
Freya is clear in her recommendation:
“I would highly recommend apprenticeships, as they allow you to learn about the company, the role and the qualification whilst working alongside it.”
For those considering their next steps — whether leaving school, college or looking for an alternative route into the legal profession — Freya’s journey highlights what National Apprenticeship Week is all about: earning, learning and progressing with confidence.