Apprenticeships

Internships can be traced to apprenticeships of the Middle Ages, where craftsmen trained unskilled labor in a trade.

Generally, these craftsmen serve long apprenticeships under master gunmakers.

Many advanced nations, like Germany and Denmark, make wide use of apprenticeships, but U.S. firms have cut back sharply on them.

Many companies in other countries have apprenticeship programs to train workers, but most American companies do not. Apprenticeships often combine classroom training with practical work experience. Over a few years, a worker slowly gains the skills needed to perform complex jobs.