public services Archives - Capital City College Group

How to do yourself justice on law work experience

Posted on March 22, 2023March 22, 2023 by Paul Cassell

Looking to gain work experience in the legal profession? Check out these top tips for success.

Law work experience is an essential part of the journey to becoming a qualified lawyer in the UK.

Whether you are a law student or a recent graduate, gaining relevant experience can significantly enhance your legal knowledge and skills, boost your employability and provide valuable insights into the legal profession.

If you are considering a career in law or looking to gain relevant legal work experience, here are some tips to help you find placements and make the most out of these opportunities.

Identify your interests

The legal profession is vast and diverse, and there are various practice areas you can explore. Before embarking on your search for legal work experience, consider your interests and the areas of law that appeal to you the most. Are you interested in corporate law, commercial law, criminal law, family law, or human rights law? Understanding your interests and career aspirations will help you narrow down your search and focus on gaining relevant experience.

Research law firms and chambers

Once you have identified your interests, start researching law firms and chambers that specialise in the areas of law you are interested in. Look at their websites, read about their cases and clients and find out about their recruitment policies and application deadlines. Attend law fairs and career events to learn more about law firms and chambers and meet lawyers and recruiters.

Types of legal work experience

The most common types of legal work experience in the UK are vacation schemes, mini-pupillages and paralegal or legal assistant roles. Vacation schemes are structured programmes that usually take place in the summer and provide insight into law firms. Mini-pupillages are placements for aspiring barristers that involve shadowing a barrister. Paralegal or legal assistant roles are also a valuable way to gain practical legal experience.

Applying for law work experience

When applying for legal work experience, make sure to tailor your application to the specific firm or chambers and highlight your relevant skills and experience. You should also demonstrate your enthusiasm for the law and your commitment to developing your legal career.

Network and build relationships

Networking is a crucial aspect of building a successful legal career, and work experience provides an excellent opportunity to meet lawyers and legal professionals. Network with lawyers and ask questions about their work, career paths and experiences. Building relationships with lawyers can also help you secure future work opportunities, a training contract or pupillage.

Reflect and learn from your experiences

It is essential to reflect on your work placement and learn from your experiences. Ask for feedback from your supervisors and colleagues. Take note of what you have learnt and how you can improve. Reflecting on your work experience can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and develop your legal skills and knowledge.

Capital City College Group (CCCG) offers various qualifications in subjects related to the legal profession including Law, Criminology, Forensic Science and Public Services. Find out more and apply here.

Black History Month: Students discuss ways to tackle racism with black Met Police officer

Posted on October 31, 2022January 23, 2023 by Hannah Fenton

Students shared their views on tackling racism with a black Metropolitan Police officer during a series of events at Capital City College Group (CCCG) to mark Black History Month.

Inspector Chris Excell, who has served the Met for 15 years, was among the guests invited to give talks to students at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

Insp Excell shared his experience of being a black police officer, a brief history of black police officers in Britain and his role as the Chair of the Black Police Association at the Met.

Students at CONEL also heard from Corporal Nyerere St John who spoke about being a black soldier in the British Army and gave his advice on careers in the Armed Forces.

There were also talks and presentations on black history, the slave trade, Marie Seacole, black Olympians, black footballers, black scientists and inventors, black hair and beauty, black music and the screening of a documentary on the Windrush generation.

Metropolitan Police Inspector Chris Excell, who is also a member of the Metropolitan Black Police Association (MBPA), spoke to students at The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, about his career and how former members of the MBPA have strived to carve and strengthen their place as part of the public services. ‘We are black all year round,’ said Excell. ‘Black History Month is really a time to celebrate, come together and not be the only person in the room to celebrate each other.” Find out more about courses we have that will support your future your career joining the public services by visiting www.capitalccg.ac.uk

City and Islington College (CANDI) hosted a Chat and Chillax session where students took part in a discussion about Black History Month, what it means to them, why it is important and ways to tackle racism in society.

Students also participated in workshops where they wrote positive affirmations to promote more tolerance in society on leaf-shaped pieces of paper that were then stuck to a large picture of a ‘tree of hope’ for their peers to read.

Among the uplifting messages placed on the tree were ‘Everyone is allowed to live freely’, ‘Respect each other’, ‘Love each other’ and ‘Educate ourselves and others.’

The atrium at Westminster Kingsway College’s King’s Cross Centre was adorned with flags from countries around the world to represent the diversity of its staff and students.

Students heard talks from guest speakers from BAME backgrounds including entrepreneur Tlwalola Ogunles, youth mentor Luke Malillah, actor and presenter Jordan Kensington, social mobility advocate Kevin Osei, property investor TJ Atkinson and WestKing administrator Lorna Blackman.

They were also encouraged to read books by black authors in the college’s Learning Resource Centre including Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman, Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams and Slay in Your Lane by Elizabeth Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené.

There were screenings off Becoming, the documentary on life of former US First Lady Michelle Obama, and Rocks, a drama about a black teenage girl and her brother in Hackney whose mum abandons them, forcing them to try and avoid being taken into social care.

Music students also put on live performances of their own songs inspired by black music.

CCCG runs many enrichment activities across its three colleges for students personal and professional development.

Find out more about Student Life at CANDI here.

CANDI becomes first London college to offer new Access to Policing course

Posted on August 18, 2022January 23, 2023 by Hannah Fenton

City and Islington College (CANDI) has become the first college in London to offer a new Access to Higher Education Diploma in Policing to support recruitment to the Metropolitan Police.

The diploma covers key topics for the modern police service, such as ethics, values, communication skills and evidence-based policing. The course also has a section focusing on the importance of community policing and includes additional units on criminology, law and sociology.

The course will give students the skills and knowledge to apply for a Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship or other higher education policing programmes.

Students who complete the diploma and successfully apply to join the Met though the apprenticeship may be eligible for reimbursement of a percentage of course fees.

Nigel Lewis, Curriculum Leader for Public Services, said: “London is one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the world and policing it is no easy task, but I know from my own experience as a former Met Police officer it is one of the most rewarding careers you can have.

“It takes a huge number of people from all sorts of different backgrounds with a wide range of skills and experience to police London. Many people have the potential to be great police officers but don’t yet have the entry qualifications to apply to be a police constable.

“As a police constable, you’ll have the opportunity to make a positive difference to the lives of Londoners every day. You’ll build relationships with local communities, reduce crime, support victims and keep people safe. No day is ever the same but every day you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that what you do has made a real difference to the lives of Londoners.”

Access courses are for people aged 19 or over who want to apply to university or other higher education courses but do not have entry qualifications such as A Levels or BTECs, or those seeking a career chance.

The Access to Policing diploma is a nationally recognised qualification and has been developed by the Met and awarding body OCN London.

There are no specified formal entry requirements but there is an expectation that students will have literacy, communication skills and numeracy at Level 2, equivalent to GCSE, or above.

Superintendent Tamsin Jones, Head of the Met Police’s Centre of Initial Recruit Training, who joined as a direct-entry superintendent just over five years ago, said: “London’s communities need more police officers who are as diverse as them, who understand them and who have a real desire to make everyone safer.

“Many people we speak to have a wealth of life experience and other skillsets that would make them fantastic police officers, but they don’t yet have the educational qualifications needed to apply for a career in policing.

“This course is designed specifically for them. The new diploma in policing was jointly developed by experienced Met Police officers and education experts, to help people gain the qualifications and confidence they need to apply to join the Met.

“I truly believe that policing is one of the most fulfilling careers in the world. Each day is different, each shift is challenging and every moment is an opportunity for you to change someone’s life for the better.”