The Apprenticeship Programme Project targeting specialized high schools has been jointly conducted by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Employment and Labour since 2014. Those schools designated to implement this project operate the courses for the apprenticeship programme. The apprenticeship programme operated through specialized high schools is an extension of the work-based learning (WBL) system targeting junior college and college students and workers.

Specialized high schools designated for the apprenticeship programme apply WBL to some of their majors. One major can operate an apprenticeship class and a non-apprenticeship class at the same time. The apprenticeship class students are guided to complete a curriculum different from that of the non-apprenticeship class students. The apprenticeship class students sign an apprenticeship agreement with companies contracted by the school and receive off-the-job training at school or an apprenticeship education centre through specialized courses and on-the-job training on the premises of training companies as apprentices.