Astranti

Small provider, big impact: How Astranti is widening access to legal services qualifications

Professional Vocational Training (PVT), trading as Astranti is a small, specialist training provider working in the legal services sector. Delivering apprenticeships and qualifications in conveyancing, probate and related areas of legal practice, Astranti sits at the point where regulated legal practice meets vocational learning.

Being small is a deliberate choice. It means tutors know learners by name, employers receive close and attentive support, and the training on offer is shaped around the realities of a busy legal office. With tutors drawn from practising legal backgrounds, the organisations focus is firmly on quality of experience and strong outcomes.

Identifying a gap in the market

The decision to partner with Qualifications Scotland was rooted in a clear market need. Firms and individuals were regularly approaching the team looking for a recognised and rigorous route into licensed conveyancing but one that offered more flexibility than traditional academic pathways.

Jointly awarded diplomas from Qualifications Scotland and the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) offered a credible, well-regulated solution. The partnership with Qualifications Scotland also aligned with Astranti’s growth ambitions, allowing them to deepen their specialism in legal services and offer learners a coherent progression route, rather than expanding into unrelated sectors.

A collaborative working relationship

The training provider first heard about Qualifications Scotland through their work with the CLC and through positive word of mouth across industry contacts. What prompted them to take the next step was the combination of a strong qualification suite and an awarding body with a reputation for being approachable and practical to work with.

‘The relationship has felt collaborative throughout, and that has had a real, positive impact on the experience our learners receive. Communication has been clear and timely, and whenever questions have arisen around quality assurance or assessment, we’ve always been able to reach someone who could help.’ Peter Stiff, Director.

Qualifications that work for the real world

The jointly awarded diplomas have proved a strong fit for the modern legal services workforce. They are vocationally-focused and directly relevant to day-to-day practice, meaning learners can quickly see the connection between what they're studying and the work in front of them.

Flexibility is a key draw. Delivered via distance learning, the qualifications allow students to continue earning and progressing in their roles while they study. The assessment approach is considered fair, course lengths are realistic, and the progression route from technician-level study through to the Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice and then on to licensed status gives learners a clear sense of direction.

From an employer's perspective, the qualifications offer a structured way to develop staff and retain talent, making them equally appealing to firms looking to invest in their teams.

Learner profiles

Astranti’s enrolments come from two main routes. The majority come through employers seeking to upskill or formalise the qualifications of existing staff, usually experienced fee-earners and paralegals who have learned on the job and now want a recognised qualification to match their capability.

They also work directly with self-funding learners and career changers moving into legal services from fields such as estate agency or financial services. The CLC qualifications suit this group well, providing formal grounding in law and procedure while building on the transferable skills they already bring.

Being a small provider allows them to tailor support to each learner's situation, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Looking ahead

Astranti’s plans for the coming years centre on careful, considered growth. The team intends to extend the range of qualifications they deliver, to continue strengthening support at each stage of the learner journey, particularly around End-Point Assessment readiness, and to invest further in their digital learning platform to ensure that distance learning remains a personal and well-supported experience.

They are also exploring closer working relationships with employers who are interested in developing bespoke qualifications for their own firms.

Qualifications Scotland offers five regulated qualifications, jointly awarded with the CLC:

• Award in Conveyancing: An Introduction for Property Professionals
• Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice
• Level 4 Diploma in Probate Law and Practice
• Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice
• Level 6 Diploma in Probate Law and Practice