This policy paper defines apprenticeship in terms of eight essential components, explains what apprenticeship is not, and recommends how the term should be used. As defined by the eight components, apprenticeship is: (1) a training strategy that combines supervised, structured, on-the-job training with related instruction and that is sponsored by employers or labor/management groups; (2) a training strategy that prepares people for skilled employment with content defined by the industry--completion may take up to 5 years; (3) a strategy with requirements that are legally defined; (4) a training strategy that leads to a legal certification of completion and journeyworker status; (5) a training strategy that requires a sizable commitment on the part of the employer or labor/management group; (6) a strategy that pays wages to participants; (7) a strategy that involves learning by working with masters of the craft; and (8) a strategy that involves a written agreement and social obligation between the program sponsor and the apprentice. According to the paper, apprenticeship is not cooperative education, vocational education, "tech prep," two plus two, summer or part-time work experiences, or other training programs. The paper recommends that the term "apprenticeship" should be reserved only for those programs that adhere to the eight essential components. (KC)