Eversheds is set to launch a new training academy as part of a major shake-up of its learning and development framework, in a bid to move further away from promotions based on post-qualification experience (PQE).

Junior lawyers at the firm will be able to apply to study courses on business accounts and reporting, building commercial relationships, marketing and business development from June. The firm will also run a shortened Master in Business Administration programme.

The courses will be taught by a number of external providers including accountants Macintyre Hudson and training firm Halo Effect, following a successful pilot earlier this year.

Lawyers from two years’ PQE upwards will be eligible for the courses, with the firm ultimately aiming to offer similar training to trainees and newly-qualifieds. Eversheds’ previous system was only open to senior associates and fixed-share partners.

The firm has also made a number of changes to its learning and development framework. It will now offer learning and development to all employees across five key skill areas: strategy and knowledge; clients; people; behaviour; and profits. Training will now be tailored to individual needs and skill levels rather than based on PQE, as was previously the case.

HR director Angus MacGregor, who is leading the initiative, said: “We’re focused on developing the best lawyers we possibly can, and it’s clear that in order to do this, we need a learning and development framework that focuses on skills rather than ‘years in the tin’.”