Apprenticeship is described from its earliest beginnings to the present, emphasizing relationships to unions, employers, and government. Apprenticeship training in New Jersey is treated separately, covering administration (statutory authority, historical foundations, systems of county coordinators, federal ties, and funding) and current trends (shown through comparison with other states, changes in minority participation, and economic factors). A survey of apprentices and apprenticeship programs in New Jersey was made through self-administered questionnaires and indepth interviews. Respondents were characterized by race, sex, age, union membership, veteran status, education, and career objectives. Apprenticeship programs were also analyzed. It was found that "conceptually, apprenticeship...combines the best features of existing manpower training programs including theoretical knowledge coupled with practical skills, a builtin paying job, a future, and the status of a skilled artisan, with better than average economic security." In spite of these advantages, apprenticeship programs in New Jersey and nationally are poorly financed, understaffed, and underutilized. Eleven recommendations for improving the situation are made. Twenty-five tables in the appendixes present the data and a 21-item selected bibliography is included. (MS)