This analysis is based on matched samples of apprentices and
experienced-coworkers who advised the apprentices in daily tasks
within workplace placements. The term ‘‘experienced co-worker’’
(EC) used in this article includes a variety of oversight roles in different
contexts (supervisor, formal mentor, co-worker) (Laberge
et al., 2012). Nine apprentices from the larger study sample of 31
apprentices were followed by the research team. For these, indepth
data was gathered, involving videotaped observations at
the workplace and ‘auto-confrontation’ interviews. Six of these
apprentices were recruited from School 1; three from School 2.
Most were male (8 men and 1 woman) and the nine apprentices
covered six trades (inventory clerk, cook’s assistant, printer’s assistant,
assistant welder, woodworker, and butcher’s assistant). Five
ECs involved in the hands-on training of these apprentices agreed
to participate in ‘allo-confrontation’ interviews (about the work
activities of the apprentices). They came from three different workplaces
and were involved in the hands-on training of four apprentices
training for three trades (inventory clerk, cook’s assistant, and
butcher’s assistant) (see Fig. 1). The other apprentices’ ECs were
unable to participate for logistical reasons, such as location, and
because of employer social relations.
Each apprentice was filmed during a complete day shift twice in
their 8-month internship (start and end) to set the stage for the