Thursfields’ Michael Hope named Finalist for Apprentice of the Year

A rising legal star at Thursfields Solicitors is hoping to lift an ‘Apprentice of the Year’ trophy in the 2017 Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards.

Michael Hope, aged 19, who joined Thursfields’ Worcester office in February 2016, has been shortlisted in the awards’ Intermediate Apprentice category.

He will now join other finalists at a black-tie awards dinner at West Midlands Safari Park on Thursday 16 November 2017, hosted by comedian and novelist Mark Watson.

Michael’s line manager is Emma Hughes, a Commercial Property Executive for Thursfields, Worcester.

She said: “Michael has made a really positive impression since joining Thursfields as an apprentice, showing his passion and commitment every day in his work. We were keen to nominate Mike for these awards and he thoroughly deserves to have been shortlisted. We’re really proud of him.”

Michael, who attended Hanley Castle Sixth Form and now lives in Upton-upon-Severn, has already completed an intermediate apprenticeship as a legal administration apprentice.

He is now completing his CILEx Level 3 qualification as a student legal executive/apprentice, and eventually hopes to become a chartered legal executive.

Michael said: “I’m thrilled to have been nominated and shortlisted for these awards. I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship at Thursfields, which is a great place to work.”

Discussing what attracted him to his apprenticeship, he added: “I’ve been interested in property for a long time, and then combined this with my growing interest for law and decided to put those two things together. I’ve worked in both residential and commercial property throughout my apprenticeship, and have developed a real enthusiasm for commercial property.”

The awards are organised by the Skills and Investment Team in the Children, Families and Communities team at Worcestershire County Council, and are co-sponsored by the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership.

The Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards recognise the hard work of apprentices, employers, schools, training providers and others who work in apprenticeships in the county.

An awards spokesman said: “Congratulations should go to all finalists as the standard of nominations was extremely high, providing a real insight into all the hard work that goes into apprenticeships across Worcestershire.”