The way to rise through nearly any company, therefore, is to begin in its apprentice program.

"That is why some of them are asking us to set up apprentice programs."

One idea that seems about to be tried on a large scale is apprentice programs for people of high school age.

Since 1978, 23 people have gone through the apprentice program and four more were enrolled in 1986.

Completion of the apprentice program does not mean an end to learning, either.

"And since it takes four years of training in apprentice programs, we have to attract young people now."

The medical schools aren't much better than the apprentice programs.

Under the new system, companies can hire workers up the age of 25 into an "apprentice" program.

Members of the company's apprentice program operate lights and sound.

More than 1,000 singers have passed through the apprentice program since its inception in 1975.