At 25, Joseph Lennox is a Senior Policy Advisor at HMRC and a multi award-winning apprenticeship advocate. As a board director at the Association of Apprentices, he is actively involved in initiatives that champion apprenticeships as a powerful route into leadership for young people. Joseph spoke to CMI about his journey from rejection to recognition - and why apprenticeships continue to play a vital role in building confidence, capability and opportunity for the next generation.

Finding the right way to learn

Joseph’s interest in politics began during his A-levels, but he quickly realised that the traditional university route wasn’t right for him.

“I struggled at times at school, and even though I had university offers, I knew a lecture hall wasn’t where I’d thrive.” When he discovered apprenticeships, the idea of earning while learning immediately resonated. He began applying through the government’s apprenticeship service, determined to find the right opportunity.

The process wasn’t easy. “A lot of my applications were rejected without any feedback, which was really disheartening,” Joseph recalls. “But I kept trying.”

Eventually, Joseph’s determination paid off and he secured a place on a Level 4 Policy Officer apprenticeship. “When I was finally accepted, I did a couple of laps around the house screaming with joy,” he says.

When people say apprenticeships are life-changing, they genuinely are.

A professional fast-track

By combining a qualification with real responsibility from day one, Joseph progressed far faster than he anticipated. "I was actually promoted while I was still an apprentice, which I didn't think was possible,” he says.

Much of that growth came from being immersed in the workplace. The apprenticeship pushed him beyond his comfort zone in ways a classroom never could.

“I had to do public speaking, chair meetings and contribute to live policy work,” Joseph explains. “Those experiences built my confidence and capability in a very real way.”

For Joseph, apprenticeships also make financial sense. “While my friends were building up student debt, I was increasing my salary and building a portfolio of real-world impact.” 

Unleashing young talent

Joseph’s experience didn’t just shape his own career, it influenced how he now leads others.

He went on to manage a team of seven working on flagship government policies, five of whom were apprentices. What he saw challenged assumptions about experience and age.

"The apprentices outshone people who’d been in the organisation for 20 or 30 years," he says. "When you give someone that chance, they will go above and beyond. Three of them secured promotion straight after the apprenticeship, and the team even won a Ministerial Award, which was the first ever given out in HMRC."  

Driving loyalty and inclusion

Beyond progression, Joseph believes apprenticeships create something many employers underestimate - loyalty.

Don’t underestimate the loyalty an apprentice has for their employer, because it offers that life-changing opportunity.

"HMRC took a chance on me as an 18-year-old with no policy or corporate experience," he highlights. "They supported me, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”

Entering a large organisation also raised questions around representation.

“As a young Black man, I was nervous about whether I’d see people like me in that environment,” Joseph admits. "But I did - there were people from lots of different backgrounds, which really mattered to me. People want to feel represented. Inclusion isn’t optional, it’s essential."

Today, Joseph actively campaigns to widen access to apprenticeships and ensure opportunities reach talent from all backgrounds.

Protecting the national talent pipeline

As debate continues around apprenticeship funding, Joseph is clear about what’s at stake.

If you want economic growth, if you want to reduce youth unemployment, if you want a strong pipeline of future leaders - apprenticeships are one of the most effective ways to achieve that.

“They should be elevated, not de-funded," he says.

He also points to the role of credible professional bodies - such as CMI - in strengthening the apprenticeship system.

“Organisations like CMI help maintain quality and consistency,” Joseph explains. “By setting professional standards and supporting rigorous assessment, they give employers confidence and help apprenticeships be taken seriously.”

Access to apprenticeships remains a concern. “We’ve got huge demand from young people who want apprenticeships, but not enough employers offering them. Too many talented individuals can’t get past that first hurdle.”

Joseph’s message to employers and policymakers is simple: invest in people, and the returns will follow.

“There’s a real person and a real journey behind every funding decision. Look at what happens when you give people the opportunity to grow - not just for individuals, but for organisations and the country as a whole.”