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.