Whatever happened to apprenticeship learning?

BACKGROUND I have been a clinical tutor for 10 years in Worthing Hospital, UK. During this time I have seen an increased emphasis on classroom teaching, assessments in controlled situations and simulation, rather than on apprenticeship learning during well-supervised clinical working. CONTEXT At the educational conference on 'Learning without Leaving the Workplace' hosted by my hospital, I had an opportunity to present my reflections on apprenticeship or situated learning. This article is a summary of that talk. IMPLICATIONS The relatively new model of 'situated learning' offers an opportunity for academics and clinicians to revitalise the apprenticeship model of learning in, and being stimulated by, the clinical workplace.