Our business writer, Ian Garner, reviews a book on an important subject written by an apprentice with hands-on experience.

Joseph is a 20-year-old apprentice. He authored How to Get a Higher Apprenticeship because when he was applying to become an apprentice, there was very little help around. Ultimately, he was offered four apprenticeships, three of which were from companies and household names.

Away from his apprenticeship and writing, Joseph won an international art competition in 2008, and had his work displayed in the Mall Galleries, London. More recently, he was awarded the bronze medal for his category for Kata at the Jujitsu National Championships. He also spends his time playing guitar.

The book is specific in its focus, it is all about modern apprenticeships and how to get one. It is aimed at aspiring apprentices; typically a school leaver who has decided not to follow the traditional route of university and full-time education.

So, you may think it is of no interest if you are not one of these sixth formers and that it is not a book for you. Well, it may be true that it is a useful guide for the specific journey, but I found it interesting and helpful in a range of diverse ways.

Its primary purpose is as a step-by-step guide to finding an apprenticeship based on the authors personal experience.

However, it is an interesting guide for parents, employers and even career advisors to see the challenges prospective apprentices face and help guide them through the journey.

For employers it gives guidance on that journey from the other side.

If you appreciate the challenges that a school leaver has to tackle, you are in a better position to support applicants and get the best from them, which is essential if you want to understand the ‘real’ candidate rather than the nervous façade so often the case when a young person is attempting to enter the grown-up world for the first time.

The book starts with a concise description of apprenticeships, although focussed on level 4 apprenticeships, which are equivalent to a foundation degree, and above. It takes a step-by-step approach to the topic, which is helpful as a textbook and guides the reader through every step of the way.

I found some of the basic tips extremely helpful for anyone. The guides on managing your applications, developing your CV, preparing for interview, and creating presentations were particularly beneficial.

The reader needs to understand that the guide is based on one person’s experience and approach the guidance with caution. However, I got the impression that the book was professionally researched, the guidance came from real lived experience and, therefore, a good start for aspiring apprentices.

It is a short book which runs through its topic like an express train, hardly pausing to take a breath. I enjoyed the insight and found it easy to read. It was a breath of fresh air to read advice from someone who has recently been on the journey rather than a stuffy academic.

It is a nice quick read, with something for most of us, but especially for a budding apprentice going through the first big challenge of adulthood.