ABSTRACT
It can be claimed that throughout its long history the apprenticeship system has adjusted itself in many ways to social, economic and technical changes. But certain features of critical importance have remained unaltered, namely the conditions deriving from the dual nature of apprenticeship and from its historical role as a social institution: apprenticeship is not just a form of training but is also used by both sides of industry in order to further their respective sectional interests. All the modifications made in adjustment to technical and other developments have been made in such a manner as to preserve the power of employers and trade unions to bend apprenticeship to their own ends.
