In Germany, apprenticeship professions are the professional activities that can be learned as part of an apprentice/employment relationship within the dual system. The former German designation "Lehrling" (a person who learns a trade or profession) has been replaced by the term "Auszubildende/-r" (apprentice or trainee = a person who is being trained) since 1971. Apprenticeship professions always have state recognition in Apprenticeship Acts in accordance with the German Berufsbildungsgesetz (BBiG) [Vocational Education Act] or the Handwerksordnung (HwO) [Trade and Crafts Code]. The apprenticeship in recognised apprenticeship professions is primarily intended to provide young people with professional qualifications. It has the aim of permanently providing options for employment. On the other hand, it is also intended to make specialists available to businesses on a long-term basis.

*Source: www.wikipedia.de; www.bmbf.de