9781422276815

■ ■ A carpenter teaches an apprentice how to plane wood.

Words to Understand

certificate: A credential that shows that a person has completed specialized education, passed a test, and met other requirements to qualify for work in a career or industry. GED: An educational test that provides certification that is equivalent to a high school diploma for U.S. and Canadian students who did not complete high school. journeyworker: A worker who has learned a trade and who can now be hired as a full-time professional. The traditional term for such a person is journeyman, but the terminology has changed because women now commonly participate in apprenticeship programs. labor union: An organization of workers formed to advance its members’ interests regarding wages, benefits, work conditions, and other employ- ment-related issues. probationary period: A period of testing and trial that a person must often undergo to determine if he or she is fit for a job or educational program.