A scheme designed to reward the highest achieving students at the University of Bolton has created a job opportunity for one young woman from Bury.

The University has worked in conjunction with Bolton law firm Stephensons Solicitors LLP, to help students gain skills for employment by offering the chance of a two-week work placement.

Stephensons interviewed three candidates and were so impressed with second year LLB student, A’sara Qureshi, that she was offered a full-time position. A’sara is now an instruction taker within Stephensons Customer Service Centre, which handles calls from new clients who are instructing the firm on a legal matter.

A’sara said: 'I’m enjoying the different aspects of the job, mainly the constant communication with the general public, advising on various legal problems, and obtaining knowledge of these matters from the solicitors who specialise in the different fields.

'I was initially very shocked to receive an offer of full time employment from Stephensons as I was under the impression that I was being interviewed only for the two-week placement.

'The role has given me great practical experience and has increased my confidence in many ways. I’m so pleased that this work placement initiative has been set up and that I have been given this opportunity through both the University and Stephensons.'

Kate Bullen, partner at Stephensons, said: 'Having interviewed three candidates for our summer placement scheme, we were extremely impressed with A’sara’s experience.

'We’re a large local employer with two offices in Bolton town centre and our Commercial office at Middlebrook, so we are keen to work with the University to attract and retain the future legal talent within the region. Through our relationship with the University, we hope to positively affect and influence the future of the legal profession.'

David Rigg of the Faculty of Wellbeing and Social Sciences, said: 'The University is delighted to work in partnership with Stephensons to provide this opportunity for the student who achieved the best marks in tort law.

'A'sara will benefit from the chance to see the practical application of the law she has been studying and get first hand experience of the role of a solicitor. Thank you to Kate Bullen and Stephensons for offering what will hopefully become an annual placement for outstanding law students from the University of Bolton.'