Thanks but it's against the labor laws to have a traditional
apprentice who trades instruction for work. It's called indentured
servitude.
But we have to remember there ARE a kind of indentured servant: in
the form of Interns who work without pay for knowledge in their
choice field, and even TA’s or other Grant students (though they do
get ‘paid’ in the form of tuition coverage and a few to several hours
teaching each week).
I suppose it’s all in how the position is set up, too. I don’t know
any more than that.
It's the best way to get intensive training. The only reason you
see less of it nowadays is that kids don't want to work, they want
to talk with their thumbs on their phones and play video games. I'd
kill for a working student type position with a jeweler.
Eleanor, I totally agree with the first and last parts, but as for
the middle, that is a rather broad generalization. I admit there are
quite a few kids who work that way, yet I’ve also known plenty of
kids who would also kill for the same opportunity in their fields.
And who would work hard enough to make it count! (This is from just a
few years ago when I taught as a Grad student, and before that when I
was a ‘mature student’ going back to school)
Speaking only as a beginner in this art, and only theorizing: I
think we see less of it because of several reasons that can’t be laid
on the heads of the underacheivers. First of all, it’s not a well
promoted field for education, and everyone wants you to have a degree
nowadays. There aren’t many accessible college or vocational programs
to teach the very basics that many jewelers may not have the time or
patience for in a working shop.
In this day and age, it’s not as easy to just be an apprentice or
even intern - each of us have bills to pay. Like some have mentioned,
techniques are often personalized; the only hard and fast rules are
those for the beginner, which must be learned through practice
(sawing, soldering, filing, etc). Finally, though there are tons of
private jewelers, today’s kids aren’t likely to know of any but the
big commercial outlets unless they somehow have connections, or join
Orchid!
All said with a smile and happy spirit! 
As theories go, do y’all
find these inaccurate or lacking?
Cheers!
Becky
