DCG Success Stories

Remortgage paralegal Faiza Saghir loves her job with Derby-based legal, finance and conveyancing business Sort Group.  

Faiza, 23, has worked for the firm for five years, having progressed to her paralegal role after taking a level 3 business administration apprenticeship with Derby College Group in 2021. 

And she is so pleased she took an apprenticeship rather than going to university.  

She said: “I haven’t been to uni but I’m further on in my career now than I would’ve been had I done a degree – and I don’t have any student loan debt.  

“Sort is such a nice company to work for and there are so many opportunities to progress within the business if I want to do something other than be a paralegal.”  

Faiza enjoyed maths, English and physics at school, but wasn’t sure what career to go into. 

So, after GCSE, she took a functional skills course and gained some local work experience to improve her prospects of finding an apprenticeship.  

She added: “I like how varied my business apprenticeship was. In the first few weeks of my induction at Sort, I did online courses and webinars.  

“It’s a while now since I was an apprentice, but what I remember enjoying most about it was learning on the job.  

“I didn’t go into college on day release – I did all my training in the workplace – but my tutor came out to see me. Derby College was good – so supportive throughout.”  

As a remortgage paralegal Faiza is involved in reviewing mortgage offers, preparing legal documents, conducting property searches/title checks, and liaising with lenders and clients, all the while ensuring regulatory and legal compliance.  

She added: “Often people my age – in their early 20s – will have changed jobs a few times this early in their careers but I’m happy where I am.  

“I know I have the chance to go further if I want to. I’d definitely recommend a business admin apprenticeship as it teaches you so many different skills which you can then apply as you progress.”