Apprentice Work

(1) The work done to gain experience or advanced training in a particular specialty. Apprentice work is common in the Soviet educational system, where graduates of higher educational institutions undertake the work in order to learn more about their specialties through practical experience. For young specialists and workers at research institutes and higher educational institutions, the work serves as preparation and training for careers in science or teaching. Apprentice work also helps teachers at higher schools to gain advanced training.

(2) The work done during a probationary period that is used to determine whether or not an individual will gain permanent status in, for example, a theater, orchestra, or dance company. It is also used to determine one’s qualifications for entering the legal profession and certain other organizations.