How And When Were Apprenticeships Established?

As far back as 1563 a Statute lay down said that no one could practise a certain occupation without serving at least seven years as an apprentice.  Even then they also had to attain the age of 24 but in 1768 this was reduced to 21.  In 1563 the statute only applied top occupations in existence and as different trades were established this was not always enforced.

There were also three kinds of apprenticeship, voluntary where the child was place by the parents, Poor Law where parish councils placed a child in the Master's care and apprenticeship to a guild or livery company in a town or city.

By the mid 18th century many children did not complete the full apprenticeship but still practised the trade.  In the 19th century with the major industrial growth with many companies setting up for shipbuilding, motor manufacturer, gas supply etc there was then a greater call for more apprentices.