IPA: /əˈprɛntɪsˌʃɪp/
KK: /əˈprɛntɪsˌʃɪp/
A period during which a person learns a skill or trade by working for someone who is experienced in that field.
She completed her apprenticeship as a carpenter before starting her own business.
Apprenticeship is formed from "apprentice" (from Old French *aprentiz*, meaning one who learns) and "-ship" (meaning the state or condition of). The word refers to the state of being a learner or trainee in a trade or profession.
Think of an 'apprentice' as someone who is in the 'state' ('-ship') of learning a skill or trade.