This dissertation examines the effectiveness of apprenticeships and on-the-job training as two internal, more informal methods of human resource development. Drawing on the case of Germany, where apprenticeships and on-the-job training are historically popular, and in particular, three German electronics firms, the dissertation examines whether firms would be most effective in adopting a productivity orientation or an investment orientation towards their apprenticeship programs. Proposal for this dissertation is provided in the appendix.