Apprenticed was the term used to describe the boarding out of children of school leaving age as workers. Boys were usually apprenticed as farm labourers and girls as domestic servants. The employer agreed to provide accommodation, food, and medical attention, if required.
During the mid 19th and the first half of the 20th century the government and many voluntary organizations arranged for children under their 'care' who had reached school leaving age to be apprenticed. This was regarded as a cheaper alternative to boarding out because no subsidy was paid to the carer. The practice however was open to great exploitation by the employer.
Prepared by: Karen George and Gary George
Created: 27 October 2011, Last modified: 4 May 2015
Last updated: 7 August 2023
Cite this: https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/sa/biogs/SE00793b.htm
First published by the Find & Connect Web Resource Project for the Commonwealth of Australia, 2011
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