Local business shortlisted for national award

04 June 2015

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) Group, which is based in Kempston, Bedfordshire, has been shortlisted for the Edge Foundation’s SME Employer of the Year category in the 2015 Vocational Qualification (VQ) Awards.

The CILEx Group recruits apprentices and trains employees vocationally, helping local people into the workplace and into their chosen career.

In addition, the CILEx Group has been leading social mobility in the legal sector for more than 50 years through advocating vocational qualification pathways into law and legal apprenticeships in England and Wales. As an Apprenticeship Employer Ambassador, the business also actively shares best practice with other employers.

Mandie Lavin, chief executive of the CILEx Group said: “Being shortlisted for the Employer of the Year award gives true credit to the work our line managers do in mentoring and coaching employees. We encourage and invest heavily in our staff to undertake vocational qualifications, including our own CILEx courses, benefitting both the individual and the business.

She continued: “As an employer we certainly practise what we preach; we award, educate and regulate vocational qualifications and we wholeheartedly support this within our own workforce. 52% of our employees are in receipt of, or are part-way through a vocational qualification.”

David Harbourne, Acting CEO of the Edge Foundation, commented: “The VQ Awards recognise employers that promote the value of vocational qualifications in the workplace and CILEx thoroughly deserve to be shortlisted for this year’s award for the flexible route they offer into the legal profession.

He continued: “By providing on-the-job training as well as an apprenticeship scheme and nationally-recognised qualifications, CILEx demonstrate that there are many paths to success and that vocational qualifications can offer enhanced skills and greater job prospects.”

VQ Day celebrates vocational achievement and the benefits of technical, practical and vocational learning. The eighth annual VQ Day will take place next week on Wednesday, 10 June 2015.

ENDS