With around one million under 25s looking for work finding a job, or being taken on as an apprentice can be an uphill struggle.

But one man who has managed to gain an apprenticeship to follow his chosen career as a copywriter is Michael Rowe, 24, who is working for Blue Baboon Design in Richmond.

This young, dynamic company was established three years ago by brothers Joseph and Sean Conlon who were aged just 21 and 23 when they set up the design business.

Two years later they have a team of six, are working on accounts for BT, Danone, VO5, FHM and Cow & Gate and were named Small Employer of the Year 2011 at the London Apprenticeship Awards.

Sean had already established his own football coaching business for children and was studying marketing at St Mary’s University when he and his brother decided to launch their graphic and website design company. Sean had already developed his entrepreneurial skills and knew his brother had the right creative, designs skills having studied architecture.

“I knew from meeting parents of the children I was coaching that many were in business but weren’t happy with the branding they had or their website,” says Sean.

“Sometimes it is a case with website design companies that some have the design skills but not the technical expertise whereas others have technical ability but not the creativity.”

To ensure they had the right skills mix, the brothers brought in programmers and designers to ensure the results were what clients wanted.

They discovered they needed a copywriter. “Many companies want Twitter and Facebook updates and blogs,” says Sean.

He then heard about the National Apprenticeship Service scheme and a not-for-profit creative agency called Creative Process which found Michael who was looking for the right job.

“We were incredibly busy before Christmas and working round the clock. We needed a copywriter and found Michael who was out of work,” says Sean.

“Initially we couldn’t afford to pay him much more than his expenses but as the work developed, so did his salary.

Michael says of his apprenticeship: “After taking my A-levels I thought about going to university but didn’t want to come out saddled with debt.

“I wasn’t happy as I could only find retail work but then I heard about Creative Process and the apprenticeship scheme.

“I have learnt a lot in the five months I have been with Blue Baboon and working with Sean.”

Michael studies creative media one day a week at college and hopes eventually to learn web design and possibly launch his own business.

“I have learnt so much from Sean on how to handle clients and run a business that long term I hope to run one myself.”