b"16 Local Government LawyerTable 3: How is the way that your training is delivered likely to change in the foreseeable future?IncreaseIncreaseStay more orDecreaseDecrease significantly slightly less theslightly significantly Don't usesameFree online training (e.g. webinars) 37% 24% 37% 2% 0% 0%Free external training (e.g through panel/consortium arrangements) 30% 28% 36% 2% 2% 3%In-house training delivered by own staff and colleagues 14% 32% 38% 3% 3% 11%In-house training delivered by external trainers 3% 12% 38% 10% 16% 21%Paid-for online training (e.g. webinars) 2% 10% 32% 12% 20% 24%Paid-for external training 1% 4% 25% 15% 30% 25%Table 4: What would you describe as your main career ambition?2024 2019 2015 2013To move into (or up) the management chain within a local authority or other public sector legal department 38% 44% 36% 44%To remain broadly at my existing level within a local authority or other public sector legal department 42% 33% 32% 28%To move into private practice 2% 4% 6% 5%To move into a legal role in the charitable sector 1% 1% 2% 1%To move into a non-legal role within the public sector 1% 2% 2% 3%To change career completely 5% 5% 11% 7%lawyers end up doing all the administration intraining to decrease significantly (See table addition to their legal work. 3). In the latest survey, respondents scoredOne lawyer notes: Although there is 5.8 out of 10 for the manageability of theirsignificant value to free training in subject workloads, down from 6.1 in 2019.specialisms, for management skills training One tired lawyer said they frequentlyand governance training there probably needs work 6 -7 days a week to keep on top ofto be some investment in more structured deadlines, with another observing: We aretraining delivered by a trusted partner expected to consistently go above and beyondagency.which results in burn out, stress and anxiety. However, it seems that climbing the So, what could employers do to improvemanagement chain is less of a priority to fee-things? earners this year, with 42% describing their The most common suggestion formain career ambition to remain broadly at improvement from respondents was bettertheir existing level within a local authority admin support, followed by investment in IT.or other public sector legal department, and Calls were also made for more resources to38% saying they would like to move up the increase staffing, but some acknowledgedmanagement chain, down from 44% in 2019 the difficulty of this given current budget(See table 4).constraints. This suggests that although career Somewhat surprisingly, another highlydevelopment remains important for many mentioned request was greater investment inLawyers look set to spend even more timelawyers, factors such as work-life balance the physical office environment, despite onlyon conference calls, with 37% expecting freeand the quality of work are what matter 5% of lawyers reporting working full time inonline training to increase significantly. mostand with very limited funds available, the office. This demonstrates that even formanagement are having to make tough those who only come in occasionally, they stilland others observed the difficulty of takingbut necessary decisions on which areas to value a well-equipped, comfortable space intime out to undertake training due toprioritise to keep motivation and morale which to worksomething which may haveworkloads. intact.become overlooked post-pandemic.Training has been curtailed due to theOne thing is clear: Despite mounting One respondent also called for morefinancial situation of the LA. We can generallydemands, budgetary pressures and bad IT, it is requirements for the whole team to be in theonly attend free courses which are few andtheir passion for public service and meaningful office, to improve morale and team bonding. far between. I feel the LA are not investingwork that keeps local government lawyers in their most valuable resource - employeescontent and fulfilledand these things are Training in progress - as the financial situation has overtakenunlikely to change. In this years survey, fee earners scored theireverything, says one lawyer.satisfaction with professional developmentAnd, employees expect tight trainingLottie Winson is a reporter at Local opportunities 5.8 out of 10, and satisfactionbudgets to remain, with 37% of fee earnersGovernment Lawyer.with their career prospects a meagre 5.4 outsaying they expect the use of free online of 10.training, such as webinars, to increase Many respondents cited having to sourcesignificantly in the foreseeable future, and their own training due to budget constraints,30% saying they expect paid-for external"