How to Assess New Legal Training Providers

When searching for a company to provide legal training courses it is vital to assess their aptitude, specialisms, and types of training offered before selecting a provider with which to work.

Legal training providers should have in-depth knowledge of their topic, a solid understanding of the tasks of training participants (and the legal society they come from) so that they can offer practical advice, give valued feedback to participants, and enrich the learning process for all those taking part.

A variety of training topics should be available so that you can cover all your legal training needs from one base whenever possible, and the training provider should regularly evaluate their training to encompass changes in legislation and law.

The following points will help you select an expert legal training provider to ensure you gain the best training provision for your needs, or that of your company:

• Finding your Perfect Legal Training Partner.

The first point when searching for a legal training provider is the ease with which you can locate them. Are they easy to find online?

Most people now start any investigation into training providers with a Google search, so you should aim to select providers that rank highly on search engines as they are more likely to keep up-to-date with recent technological innovations, current market trends, and of course, they probably have accessible websites with easily reachable information.

• Legal Specialisms

The second most worthy point to consider is if this legal training provider offers the specialist area that you require. If you specialise in family law, for instance, consider finding a provider that specialises in this field as they are likely to go into far greater depth, and offer more varied courses within this area.

Fulfillment from training course is far greater when you can relate, and apply, what is being taught. Likewise, the more bespoke your training, the greater your chances of progression within your chosen area of expertise.

• Variety within Specialisms

Your chosen legal training provider should also offer a selection of courses within your chosen specialism. Check that they offer a full range if you want to use them time and again, as this gives you the opportunity to save time searching for more providers at a later date.

• Location of Training Courses

Your time is precious, and therefore, you might want to select a training provider that is local to you to avoid spending long periods travelling to training sessions, or courses. Some providers might offer e-learning courses that can be accessed anywhere, or possibly offer multiple locations for training centres, so depending upon your needs and requirements, check what each provider offers in location availability.

• Training Updates/Newsletters

One way to ascertain more information about a training provider is to find out if they offer a newsletter that is sent out (either through the post, or more frequently, via email) as this can keep you informed about upcoming courses.
Often, providers will advertise new courses, new locations, or new training dates via these updates, so it can be a vital link that saves you time and effort in searching for comparable courses online.

• Feedback from Learners

Positive feedback and customer satisfaction is vital for any successful business, and legal training providers are no exception. If you are seeking a long term relationship with a training provider it is worth checking their feedback from previous course attendees to check they deliver consistently good courses, and standards.
Word of mouth is often the most effective form of advertising so ask your colleagues, associates, and co-workers if they can recommend a training provider they have previously used.

• Varied Training Styles

It was once considered acceptable for training to take the form a lecture, with an insignificant time set aside for questions at the end. Fortunately this time has now passed, and there are many more interactive, varied, and practical courses available for legal training.

Check what type of training your selected provider offers, and be sure that they offer the best learning style to suit your needs. Lectures can still have their place, but have been found to be less effective that practical applications of learning.

• Customer Satisfaction and Significance

As stated above customer satisfaction is vital in business success, however, it doesn’t end with just delivering quality training courses.

Legal training providers should make it easy for you to connect with them, return your calls, emails or inquiries promptly and with professionalism, and have a website that is easy to navigate and find the information you require.
A complete package is preferable, especially if you plan to work with the provider over the long term.

• Qualifications

Some legal training providers offer their own qualifications in selected fields. If they have been providing training for some time companies often formulate their own bespoke qualifications, and this can be seen as a sign of their commitment to their business and legal training.

If you are planning to use the qualifications to advance your career, check that the qualifications they offer are comparable, and applicable for your desired outcome.

• Trade Associations/Professional Bodies

Training providers that are affiliated with well-respected professional bodies should have been thoroughly assessed for their abilities. This affiliation can often be seen as a sign that they are involved with current legislation, government discussions, and actively pursue involvement with external relations that will advance their skills and training provisions.

Good training providers should regularly update courses with current topics that evolve with trends, and legislation, and that focus on specific skill sets that are transferable (I.T applications, cultural difference, management roles, and so on), so be sure to check the providers you investigate offer these advances.

Selecting a legal training provider that you wish to work with in the long term can take concerted time and effort, but is worth it once you find the right one.