Nutty...maybe you mean apprenticeship?

On the other hand.... :-)

Probation.... n.

1. A process or period in which a person's fitness, as for work or membership in a social group, is tested.

2. a. Law The act of suspending the sentence of a person convicted of a criminal offense and granting that person provisional freedom on the promise of good behavior.

2. b. A discharge for a person from commitment as an insane person on condition of continued sanity and of being recommitted upon the reappearance of insanity.

3. A trial period in which a student is given time to try to redeem failing grades or bad conduct.

4. The status of a person on probation.