College partnership aims to upskill the modern lawyer

City of Glasgow College and Africa Legal have launched three new online training courses for students, graduates and lawyers in Africa.

The new partnership will deliver three 90-minute, self-paced courses that offer invaluable skills to the modern lawyer who is expected to be able to communicate well, manage project budgets and make strategic decisions about their firm.

Carla Gethin, Director Business Partnerships at City of Glasgow College, said:

“Our exciting new partnership with Africa Legal, a result of our relationship with the Scottish Africa Business Association, will see a new suite of training that directly reflects the competencies required by the legal profession. Participants will develop the critical skills necessary to enable them to work more effectively, undertaking appropriate case progression to achieve the best possible outcomes for their clients.”

The three courses will cover Communication Strategies for Lawyers, Project Management: Managing Project Budgets, and Structuring Firm Strategy.

Wendy Bampton, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at Africa Legal, said:

"Africa Legal is delighted to partner with the City of Glasgow College in the delivery of this project management online course series. The role of the lawyer continues to evolve as the relevance and importance of alternative careers within law increases across Africa and the globe. By delivering self-paced affordable courses in critical areas such as communication strategies and managing project budgets, we hope law firm leaders will invest more readily in training their future leadership and see the direct benefit to their businesses growth."

The first course, Communication Strategies for Lawyers, opens on Thursday 24 February, and applicants can pre-register now.

Developed by City of Glasgow College, in collaboration with the Africa Legal Learn team, this course is designed for African lawyers who wish to enhance their own communications strategy, as well as that of their firm. The programme focuses on a strategic approach to developing and implementing specific communication tools, methodologies and approaches.

The course instructor for the College is Glasgow based solicitor, Iain Sim, who has taught a range of business and commercial subjects at both the University of Strathclyde's School of Law and Business School since 2003.

Participants starting the course will receive a video introduction and overview of the College from Jason Graham, lecturer in Business and Management within the Legal Services section of the Faculty of Education and Humanities. Over 400 students attend legal services’ courses annually, with more than 150 students choosing to study HND Legal Services, making the College Scotland’s largest FE institute in respect of student numbers who successfully attain a qualification here.

For more information on the Communications Strategies course, or to register, please visit the Africa Legal website.