Apprenticeship training includes the training of children and youth in the secondary school age group who have completed primary education but could not receive a higher level of education, or those who have remained outside of formal education for various reasons. Those youths who are at least primary school graduates and between 14 and 19 years of age can receive apprenticeship training.
As a result of arrangements made by the Law of Apprenticeship and Vocational Training, vocational training system has assum- ed three basic field of application as formal vocational training, apprenticeship training and vocational courses.
Those who finish formal vocational training may enter master's examination after a year of work experience. Apprenticeship training, in its turn, has a duration of is 3 to 4 years. Those who complete this training may enter the journeyman examination. Candidates who get the right to receive a journeyman certificate may enter the master's examination after three years of work experience provided that they continue mastership training.
Those who do not receive a master-ship certificate cannot open an independent workplace and cannot work as a master. Those who work at a workplace included in the vocations within the scope of the law and who have signed an apprenticeship contract, can benefit completely from their rights as students, and their insurance premiums during their training are paid by the Ministry.
In the 1998-1999 school year, 267,074 students received apprenticeship training at 328 centers. It is planned up until the year 2000 to provide apprenticeship training for all the young people who are working.
Vocational courses are held with the aim of providing employment opportunities for individuals who left the system of formal education and who did not have the necessary qualification. The participants may benefit from the rights given by the related law to apprentice students.