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Apprenticeship Over the Years

By Chrissy L. Skudera 

One of the earliest documented instances of apprenticeship dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. The Code of Hammurabi, a Babylonian legal text dating back to 1750 BC, required artisans to teach their craft to youth. One of the most documented skills is the training of scribes. In addition to learning cuneiform — a language based on symbols — scribes also needed to master the writing of texts in Sumerian, an ancient language dating back to 2900 BC. Because of its complexity, this apprenticeship was long and yielded only a small number of scribes in any one city. 

Apprenticeship is noted in other ancient civilizations too. In ancient Egypt, for example, apprenticeship focused on skilled trades like masonry and pottery. In ancient Greece and Rome, blacksmiths and potters learned their craft through hands-on experience under the guidance of an expert craftsman. 

Fast forward to the Middle Ages in Europe (500-1500 AD) when craftsmen and artisans formed guilds to regulate their trades and train the next generation. One of the first formal apprenticeships in Europe was established in the 14th century by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in London. It set the standards for other guilds to follow. 

Apprenticeships began to evolve during the Industrial Revolution (1760-1840) to meet the demands of emerging industries. They expanded beyond traditional crafts to include skills required in engineering and manufacturing. 

Apprenticeship in America 

Europeans brought apprenticeship to America more than 300 years ago. Notable apprentices include:  

  • George Washington, who studied surveying under his friend and neighbor George William Fairfax of Belvoir 
  • Benjamin Franklin, who studied printing under his older brother James 
  • Paul Revere, who studied silversmithing under his father Apollos Rivoire 

In 1911, Wisconsin passed the country’s first apprenticeship law, which aimed to protect the apprentice and the employer and establish the state’s vocational school system. Wisconsin also created the first state-recognized apprenticeship program at this time and served as a model for other states and the federal government. 

Twenty-six years later, the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937 was signed into law to safeguard apprentices. Notable inclusions within the act include: 

  • Promoting equality 
  • Establishing regulations to protect the welfare of apprentices 
  • Formulating apprenticeship standards 
  • Establishing an apprenticeship office within the Department of Labor 
  • Allowing state agencies to register and administer apprenticeship programs 

Today, apprenticeship in the U.S. extends beyond the construction sector. Now there are apprenticeships in manufacturing, tech, and finance. Popularity in apprenticeship programs is also growing.  

  • Media coverage on apprenticeship has doubled since 2006 
  • Federal funding for apprenticeships has increased fivefold since 2015 
  • Many apprenticeship programs — including IEC’s — now offer college credits, which appeals to both students and parents 
  • The earn-while-you-learn model helps avoid student debt, which is attractive to students of any age 
  • According to the Department of Labor, registered apprenticeships have grown by 106% over the last 10 years 

Comparing today’s apprenticeships to those in 1750 BC certainly looks different, but the concept remains the same: sharing an invaluable skill with future generations to create a sustainable, adept workforce. 

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