Sunderland-based Digital Skills Training Provider Helps Leading London Law Firm Invest In Digital Talent #NAW2019

Top 200 law firm Hodge Jones & Allen (HJA) are using digital apprenticeships as way to invest in their people. The employer-owned, award winning firm keep the development of their internal talent as a high priority and are committed to adding value for their employees.  

Working with Sunderland based partner, Code, to provide specialist digital training, HJA have identified a way to use their Apprenticeship Levy to develop essential digital skills, supporting their future business strategy and provide the opportunity for employees to gain new, future-focused qualifications. 

Code is a national training provider specialising in digital skills based in Sunderland. Born from necessity not choice, Code was founded to address the digital skills gap our founder and CEO was facing in his other business. Since it’s conception last year Code has created a number of jobs, recruiting an experienced team and begun to deliver training to employers from across the UK of all sizes.

Vidisha Joshi, Managing Partner, and winner of the Asian Women in Achievement award in 2018, commented on the firm’s innovative approach,

“Our business model is unique and as an employeeowned law firm, supporting and developing our people has to be at the heart of everything we do. Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity, not only for people starting out in their career, but also to upskill and provide recognised qualifications for existing employees. Like most industries, digital transformation is high on the agenda of the legal sector and these apprenticeships will no doubt add great value in delivering first class legal help to our customers.” 

Patricia Da Silva, an employee at HJA, is about to start a digital marketing apprenticeship and commented,

“I’m delighted that HJA are investing in me and allowing me the time to undertake an apprenticeship qualification. The Digital Marketing course looks really exciting! I’m looking forward to learning more about building websites, social media and SEO, as well as developing my knowledge of marketing principles. The best thing about this approach is that I’ll be applying my new skills and knowledge immediately into the business and creating value.” 

HJA are partnering with Code, a digital apprenticeship academy, to upskill their marketing team. Simon Howatson, CEO of Code, commented, “Hodge Jones & Allen originally wanted to use their levy to recruit new lawyers, but it wasn’t the ideal fit for them. When they discovered that they could use their levy to upskill existing staff in other departments it was a revelation. As a business they are extremely committed to their employees through their innovative employee-owned model. Adding value for existing employees was a natural step for the firm. I think this is a fantastic example to businesses, particularly during National Apprenticeship Week, of what can be achieved through these qualifications.” 

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW 2019) takes place 4 to 8 March 2019. 

This annual celebration of apprenticeships will bring the whole apprenticeship community together to celebrate the impact of apprenticeships on individuals, employers and the economy.