Harper Macleod provides a route from apprenticeship to qualified professional
News
- Harper Macleod has provided 89 apprenticeships in last decade
- 14% of current headcount are either apprentices or qualified through the programme
- Harper Macleod welcomes Glasgow MSP as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week
With a rise in youth unemployment according to the latest Labour Market Statistics, many young people are struggling to find meaningful career opportunities*. Law firm Harper Macleod is helping to address this challenge through its successful apprenticeship programme, equipping young people with valuable skills, hands-on experience, and a clear pathway into the workforce.
This commitment is being highlighted as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week (3rd to 7th March), an annual campaign by Skills Development Scotland celebrating the value of work-based learning in helping individuals and businesses grow. The initiative highlights the benefits of apprenticeships in providing young people with real world experience while allowing employers to develop future talent.
Harper Macleod has long recognised the impact of apprenticeships in shaping careers and strengthening its workforce. To date, the firm has welcomed 89 apprentices, with 66 progressing into permanent roles. Since April 2024, 35 apprentices have started or completed their apprenticeship across all of Harper Macleod’s offices in Scotland. The apprenticeship programme not only provides a route into employment but also encourages continuous professional development, with 12 apprentices currently pursuing further professional qualifications. Through structured training and practical experience, the firm continues to invest in the next generation, ensuring young people have the opportunities they need to succeed.
The success of the programme is reflected in the firm’s workforce, with 14% of Harper Macleod’s current headcount having either started as apprentices or working towards their Modern Apprenticeship.
As part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, Harper Macleod welcomed Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP, MSP for Glasgow Region and Scottish Labour spokesperson for Education and Skills, to meet with the firm’s current apprentices.
It’s inspiring to see how apprenticeships are shaping the careers of young people at Harper Macleod. I’m excited to have met the apprentices and hear about their personal experiences. Apprenticeships offer invaluable opportunities for growth, and it’s clear that Harper Macleod is dedicated to supporting the next generation of skilled professionals. Apprenticeship programmes are crucial in developing skilled professionals and supporting the local economy. Harper Macleod’s commitment to these programmes helps young people build successful careers while contributing to the growth of the firm and Scotland’s workforce.
Martin Darroch, Harper Macleod chief executive, said:
“Apprenticeships play a vital role in developing a skilled and diverse workforce. At Harper Macleod, we have seen first-hand how these programmes create meaningful career opportunities while also strengthening and contributing to our business. Investing in young talent not only benefits individuals but ensures our continued success and innovation. We are proud to support Scottish Apprenticeship Week and celebrate the achievements of our apprentices, past and present.”
Jack Morrison, a paralegal at Harper Macleod, began his journey with the firm in January 2020 as an administrator in the Elgin office. He completed his Business Administration Apprenticeship in November 2020, before moving into a team assistant role. Jack qualified as a paralegal in November 2022 and is now working towards becoming a Law Society of Scotland accredited paralegal and achieving a Society of Trust and Estate Practitioner (STEP) qualification.
Jack said:
“Starting my apprenticeship with Harper Macleod has been a gamechanger in my career. The opportunity to gain practical experience and further my studies has been invaluable. It’s been a journey of growth and development, and I’m proud to have achieved so much in a short time. The apprenticeship programme has proven that there is no single path to success and has given me the confidence to continue building my career and qualifications.”
Chair of Skills Development Scotland, Frank Mitchell, said: “Created in collaboration with industry, Scottish Apprenticeships help employers build a skilled and diverse workforce. Designed by employers, apprenticeships foster innovation, economic growth, and new opportunities. Apprenticeships also provide great social return, by giving opportunities of enduring careers for many young people from Scotland’s most deprived areas.”
*In January 2025, the Scottish Government reported that ‘in October 2023 to September 2024, an estimated 36,100 people aged 16 to 24 were unemployed in Scotland. This is 2,300 more than the number of unemployed 16 to 24 year olds in October 2022 to September 2023.’
Pictured (back / left to right) Harper Macleod apprentices Ruairidh Thompson , Nathan Cunningham , Skills Development Scotland’s Director of Corporate Affairs James Prentice, Caroline Morrison from QA, Harper Macleod’s HR Director Rona Cargill, Harper Macleod apprentices Daniel McGrath and Jay Hughes, and (front) Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP.