Apprentice follows in mother’s footsteps

Law firm Sintons is keeping it in the family by taking on an apprentice whose mother has worked at the firm for over 25 years.

Emma Smith has been offered a year-long apprenticeship by the Newcastle firm and will work as an office assistant. Emma, who beat numerous other applicants to secure the position, will also be able to complete her NVQ during her time with Sintons.

Emma, 18, from Whickham, has been with Sintons for a month, and her role also sees her working alongside her mother Anne, a legal secretary, who joined the firm when she was 19 years old.

Emma, who previously studied at St Thomas More RC School in Blaydon, said: “It’s great to work for a company like Sintons. I’ve heard such great things about the firm from my mum and am so pleased to have got this position. Everyone has been so helpful and supportive to me and I’ve learned so much already.

“I’m really looking forward to the rest of my time here, and hopefully this opportunity will lead to career prospects for me.”

Anne said: “I’ve worked at Sintons for 26 years and I absolutely love it. You always worry about job prospects for your children, but I’m delighted Emma has been given an apprenticeship here. This is such a fantastic firm to work for and I know this opportunity will stand her in the best possible stead for her future career.”

Alan Dawson, Chairman of Sintons, said: “We are very pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to Emma. She is already proving to be a valued part of our team, just as Anne has been for over a quarter of a century.

“At Sintons, we believe in creating long-term personal relationships with our clients, which often span generations. The fact we now employ a mother and daughter shows that we have that ethos running throughout the firm.”