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For other uses, see Journeyman (disambiguation).

A journeyman is a trader or crafter who has completed an apprenticeship.

[edit] Origin of the title

The word 'journeyman' comes from the French word journée, meaning the period of one day; this refers to their right to charge a fee for each day's work. They would normally be employed by a master craftsman, but would live apart and might have a family of their own. A journeyman could not employ others. In contrast, an apprentice would be bound to a master, usually for a fixed term of seven years, and lived with the master as a member of the household, receiving most or all of their compensation in terms of food and lodging.

In parts of Europe, as in later medieval Germany, spending time as a journeyman (Geselle), moving from one town to another to gain experience of different workshops, was an important part of the training of an aspirant master. Carpenters in Germany have retained the tradition of traveling journeymen even today, although only a small minority still practice it. In later medieval England, however, most journeymen remained as employees throughout their careers, lacking the financial resources to set up their own workshops^{[citation needed]}. In France, they were known as Compagnons.

The terms jack and knave are sometimes used as informal words for journeyman. Hence 'jack of all trades, master of none' — someone who is educated in several fields of trade, but is not yet skilled enough in any to set up their own workshop as a master.

In various fields, mainly in professional sport, the term "journeyman" refers to a player who is able to play at a starting level, but not as well as top players in a league. As such, they generally move frequently from place to place. It is a term particularly used to refer to quarterbacks in American football; players such as Trent Dilfer, Kelly Holcomb and Tony Banks are recent examples of journeymen quarterbacks.

[edit] Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships usually last from three to four years. In the U.S. apprenticeships in metalworking include Tool & Die Maker, Machinist, Model-Maker, Sheet-Metal, Foundry and Gear-cutting. Other related fields include Electrician and Plumber. The peak years for American apprenticeships were 1930-1981, during which time companies found it useful to employ the maximum-allowed apprentices, one for every six or eight journeymen (depending upon the State). In the early 1980s recession, most companies cut their apprenticeship programs and did not restore them when conditions improved.

Currently, the concept of apprenticeship varies by country. Apprenticeships can be found online through labor unions, job search engines, government job websites, or through technical schools with an apprenticeship work-study program. Also, technical schools and high school that have career education classes can place a student in an apprenticeship, or for a usually limited time (summer between college sessions) as an intern. Traditionally, an apprentice will work under the guidance of a person who has earned the title of "master" in their field, and under the guidance of other journeymen. This apprenticeship is a combination of working and learning. Apprenticeship lasts usually three to five years, ending upon exams (written and hands on) and other requirements (classroom hours plus hours in the field) by the certifying agency having been met. Institutions providing exams and approval also vary widely by location, given by governments, unions, or educational institutions. Once the apprenticeship is completed, the individual is granted Journeyman status, and issued documents (diplomas, certificates of achievement, licenses from state or local jurisdictions) that certify him as a journeyman.

[edit] Qualification

Someone who has completed the traditional live-in apprenticeship could be considered a journeyman, as could someone who is educated in their field and has passed a board certified quiz. In the United States, the requirements for a journeyman's license are set by each state.^{[citation needed]}

In the United States, employment as an electrician usually requires that a person holds a state license as a master or journeyman. However, other professions where journeymen status is applicable such as contracting or plumbing, an equivalent amount of work and scholarly experience are just as desirable to an employer.

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The modern Journeymen