A worthwhile investment

Employer support is an incredibly important factor in student success, and it is a win for everyone, with the knowledge gained benefiting the employee, the organisation and its clients. The value is evident in this year’s winner line-up: 12 of this year’s winners work for firms accredited for their learning and development provision on STEP’s Employer Partnership Programme. Three of these firms have seen multiple winners: Anderson Strathern LLP, Blackadders LLP and Farrer & Co LLP.

‘We are so grateful to STEP for continuing to provide amazing educational opportunities to our lawyers. We are also immensely proud that Caroline Russell and Celia Speller have both received an Excellence Award for their work in the STEP Advanced Certificate in Cross-Border Estates, which is a key area of our practice. Many congratulations to each of them on achieving this through their usual hard work and flair for private client work.’

Bryony Cove, Farrer & Co (Platinum Employer Partner)

Working with employers

STEP’s Employer Partnership Programme was established in 2014 to enable us to work closely with employers to support the professional development of our members and build on the credibility of the STEP brand by:

Providing a comprehensive and structured support programme with access to a wide range of online resources and personal support

Promoting industry-wide recognition of the STEP accreditation, thus helping accredited partners to demonstrate their credentials as quality employers

Enabling accredited partners to network and share good practice with like-minded employers

‘Blackadders’ core value is to provide an environment where continuous development can take place and where staff are supported and enabled to meet the changing demands and priorities of the firm and its clients. We encourage all private client solicitors to complete the STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates – Scotland. It is the most comprehensive and relevant qualification in the trusts and estates field. It provides our clients with assurance that they are receiving advice from highly qualified solicitors.’

Louise Abercrombie, Blackadders LLP (Platinum Employer Partner)

How EPP works

The Employer Partnership Programme (EPP) has been designed to help employers maximise the learning of their STEP members and is offered across three accreditation levels: Employer Partner, Gold Employer Partner and Platinum Employer Partner. Once an employer has demonstrated that it meets one of the three levels, the organisation’s learning and development programme is endorsed with an appropriate EPP logo. This signals to stakeholders, prospective employees and the general business community that it values professional development and substantiates this with resources and a supportive organisational learning culture.

‘I found the course particularly relevant to my role as Head of Trust Advisory and as a trusted advisor to my clients. Especially in times where regulations, laws and restrictions become ever more complex, I can practically apply the new knowledge on a daily basis to advise my clients and my colleagues. Taking this course did not only benefit me personally; it also brings extra value to my clients, colleagues seeking advice and, of course, my employer.’

Jessica Schaedler TEP, Kendris Ltd (Platinum Employer Partner)