journeymans

Journeyman, or journeymen, is a historical and modern term for a skilled worker who has completed an apprenticeship and can perform trade tasks competently, but has not yet attained the status of a master craftsman. The form journeymans is a nonstandard variant and is rarely used in formal contexts.

Origin and historical context: The term comes from the French journee, meaning a day’s work. In medieval guilds, a worker would progress from apprentice to journeyman, traveling to different workshops to earn wages by the day. Advancement to master required producing a masterwork and passing an examination or meeting guild-provided criteria, after which the individual could open a shop and take on apprentices.

Modern usage: Today, journeyman status remains common in many trades and signals a recognized level of competence. In regulated fields such as electrical, plumbing, and other crafts, a journeyman license or certificate may be required to perform certain work or to supervise others. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and can involve examinations, a set number of supervised hours, or progression to a master license upon additional credentials.

Role and scope: A journeyman can perform skilled tasks independently within regulatory constraints, supervise apprentices, and undertake most projects appropriate to the trade. The distinction from a master often relates to design responsibility, the ability to supervise multiple crews, or to issue permits, depending on local regulations and trade traditions.

Examples of trades: carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electrical work, metalworking, and other skilled crafts commonly use the journeyman designation.