A training contract is a two-year training period where you work as a trainee solicitor at a solicitors' firm. During your training contract you will also complete the Professional Skills Course to qualify as a solicitor.
Some firms require students to apply for a training contract before they start their LPC, and it is possible to get funding for an LPC from your training contract supplier. Firms often start hiring for training contracts two years in advance. This means applying in June/July of the summer vacation between your second and third year if you are a law student, and before you start the GDL if you are a non-law graduate.
Graduate schemes where you can train to become a solicitor also exist for law and non-law graduates:
You can use the resources below to search for training contract positions:
Commercial awareness means staying up-to-date on daily happenings and developments in the business and commercial world. As law often revolves around business and commerce, it's important to be commercially aware.
Employers will expect you to be able to demonstrate commercial awareness.