What system of on-the-job training originated with the craft guilds of the Middle Ages?

The system of on-the-job training that originated with the craft guilds of the Middle Ages is known as indentured apprenticeship. In this system, apprentices would commit to working for a master craftsman for a specified number of years in exchange for training in a skill or trade. This arrangement not only allowed the apprentice to learn hands-on skills but also ensured that they contributed to the work of the guild and gained practical experience directly related to their craft.

During the Middle Ages, guilds were crucial in regulating trades and maintaining quality standards, which made the apprentice-master relationship essential for preserving and passing down skills and knowledge within trades. Apprentices would typically start at a young age and gradually advance in their understanding and proficiency, often culminating in the ability to open their own shop or practice once they completed their apprenticeship.

The other options do not fit this historical context in the same way. Joint apprenticeship and trade certification represent more modern developments and structures in vocational training, while formal education may not involve the direct, hands-on training aspect that is a hallmark of the indentured apprenticeship model.