Barlows to defer half of September trainee intake

The City firm contacted all 20 trainees yesterday (11 May) asking for ten to take up the offer of deferral, with a £2,500 cash incentive if they do so.

Barlows has also asked a further ten trainees lined up to start training contracts in September 2010 to defer until March 2011.

The firm currently only operates one intake of trainees a year, but it hopes to implement a spring intake come March 2011.

Barlows has also discontinued one of three of its summer vacation schemes, but will continue to open the programme to 25 students in both July and August.

Graduate recruitment head Caroline Walsh said: "We are one of the few firms of our size that does not have a spring intake, and in view of the challenging climate, we are deferring ten trainees to a new March 2010 intake.

"This is only a six-month deferral and this will balance out the levels of trainees across the firm, which we hope will provide for an improved experience for our trainees and fee earners, and ultimately our clients."

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