Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship is an arrangement in which you get hands-on training, technical instruction, and a paycheck-all at the same time.  Apprentices work for a sponsor, such as an individual employer or a business-union partnership, who pays their wages and provides the training. Formal apprentice programs usually last about 4 years, depending on the employer or occupation, although they may take as little as 12 months or as many as 6 years.  Many of these programs are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. 

U.S. Beureua of Labor