<P> Seven years seem anciently to have been, all over Europe, the usual term established for the duration of apprenticeships in the greater part of incorporated trades . All such incorporations were anciently called universities, which indeed is the proper Latin name for any incorporation whatever . The university of smiths, the university of tailors, etc., are expressions which we commonly meet with in the old charters of ancient towns (...) As to have wrought seven years under a master properly qualified was necessary in order to entitle any person to become a master, and to have himself apprenticed in a common trade; so to have studied seven years under a master properly qualified was necessary to entitle him to become a master, teacher, or doctor (words anciently synonymous) in the liberal arts, and to have scholars or apprentices (words likewise originally synonymous) to study under him . </P> <P> Also similar to apprenticeships are the professional development arrangements for new graduates in the professions of accountancy, engineering, management consulting, and the law . A British example was training contracts known as' articles of clerkship' . The learning curve in modern professional service firms, such as law firms, consultancies or accountancies, generally resembles the traditional master - apprentice model: the newcomer to the firm is assigned to one or several more experienced colleagues (ideally partners in the firm) and learns his skills on the job . </P>

Individual states establish the formal responsibilities of all apprentices