The German Vocational Training Act opens the apprenticeship with a trial phase: Das Berufsausbildungsverhältnis beginnt mit der Probezeit. Sie muss mindestens einen Monat und darf höchstens vier Monate betragen. (Vocational training begins with the probationary period. It must last at least one month and at most four months.) During this time, either side can end the training at any moment, without notice. After it, the apprentice faces the years summed up in a common proverb: Lehrjahre sind keine Herrenjahre, the years of apprenticeship are not the years of a gentleman.