Oh, the McDonald's is crap, those are entry-level jobs that don't need apprenticeships!

The German one seems to be similar to how the trade labor unions have their apprenticeships set up in the States, he did some time in class and the rest hands on learning and being paid to do it. Their local had them take off a full week at a time several times a year but other locals have their apprentices come in to class after work a couple days a week. His apprenticeship was five years, most range from 4 to 6 years.