Apprenticeship is a programme of structured education and training which formally combines and alternates learning in the workplace with learning in an education or training centre. It is a blended combination of on-the-job employer-based training and off-the-job training. At least 50% of apprenticeship learning is completed in the workplace. Apprenticeships lead to nationally recognised qualifications from Level 5- Level 10 on the National framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Apprentices ‘earn while they learn’ – they have an employment contract and are paid a salary for the duration of their apprenticeship training. Apprenticeships vary in length depending on the programme, lasting between two and four years.