The more info you can gather, the better off you will be. That has been my process when learning a new skill, regardless of what it is. Today we have fabulous opportunities to learn anything we want at a reasonable price, and the Apprentice Course is an excellent example. This learning style is far superior to the traditional classroom or one on one learning and far less expensive.
The fundamentals that John is sharing in this list of topics is golden. A young person with desire could learn these skills, spend two or three thousand dollars on supplies and equipment, practice on their own projects and eventually start an upholstery business.