The head of a leading Bradford law firm has introduced a new annual training scheme to help people become lawyers without going to university.

Paul Ayre, managing partner of Gordons solicitors, which counts Bradford-based supermarket group Morrisons among its clients, was inspired to launch the new apprenticeship scheme after seeing a television programme about how privilege affects people’s chances of getting the best jobs.

Meanwhile, Bradford-based Yorkshire Water is about to recruit its second batch of apprentices after taking on another ten graduate trainees from September.

Gordons, which also has a Leeds office, is looking for five youngsters, who might otherwise find it difficult to enter the legal profession, to join its new training programme. From September, the firm will recruit and train a fresh intake of apprentices each year who have the ability to become lawyers without attending university.

Gordons will pay the apprentices’ salaries and fund their fees to train as legal executives. Over four years the course fees alone will mean an investment of more than £32,500.

Mr Ayre was inspired after seeing the BBC programme Who Gets the Best Jobs? which examined how privilege effects access to professions in Britain.

He said: “The programme highlighted that social mobility in Britain today is reduced from that of 20 years ago.

“The legal profession has many barriers to entry which can work against people who would otherwise have the ability to forge successful careers in the law.

“One of the barriers is the need to be university educated.”

The apprenticeship programme was developed ahead of the Government’s announcement to create an annual “report card” to improve social mobility.

Gordons has approached schools and colleges in Bradford and Leeds and is discussing candidates with teaching staff.

Mr Ayre said: “Gordons has always operated as a meritocracy and we pride ourselves on being progressive in everything we do. The apprenticeships are a natural extension of these values.”

Gordons employs 250 people, including 180 fee earners, and has a turnover of £22 million.

Yorkshire Water will recruit its next intake of apprentices through its website from May 23. It is looking for 11 recruits who will be guaranteed a job in various parts of the business across the region, ranging from IT, communications, and technical and field positions.

Recruitment co-ordinator Amin Daji said the places were open to anyone from school-leavers to those seeking a career change.