Sophie Elliott was featured in The Press as one of the city’s first apprentices recruited in the 100 Apprenticeships in 100 Days campaign.

Taken on as an apprentice administrative assistant in the private client department of law firm Harrowells in June, Sophie has since completed her apprenticeship.

But the rules that apprentices must always be progressing meant that she was not able to keep her position once she got the qualification, as there wasn’t a role for her to progress to.

Sophie said: “It was a really good experience and I got a lot of knowledge from it and I enjoyed working there. I can put on my CV that I do have experience in the field and it will help me to find another job.”

The law firm has appointed someone else into Sophie’s job, but were not able to keep Sophie under the rules, although the firm has been able to advance its two other apprentices.

Sophie said: “I would have rather stayed in the role because as well as getting the qualification it’s about the experience, but they couldn’t have done that.”

Louise Osborne, of Harrowells, said: “Apprenticeships can deliver real benefits to the young people taking part in them. However, it is really important for all the organisations involved to manage the expectations of young apprentices in terms of the scope and limitations of the scheme.”