An Apprentice is the lowest rank in The Hitchhiker's Guild.

Petition

Making contact with a Hitchhiker is a feat in itself since membership is secret to outsiders and even most insiders. Occasionally an outsider will pick up on signs and request to enter, but this is generally met with suspicion. Most commonly, a Hitchhiker will identify a potential recruit and try to see if they're interested in petitioning. This is a delicate phase, as it requires intuition of their opinion of the Guild without their knowledge.

Then privately, the petition is brought to a Guildmaster or three Journeymen, who are called Sponsors. If they approve, the Petitioner may attempt initiation.

Initiation

Main article: Hitchhiker Initiation

Initiation is more of a test than a ritual. It takes many forms, depending on the creativity of those administering it, and the discretion of the Sponsor(s) in regards to the particular abilities and liabilities of the Petitioner. 

If they pass the tests, Petitioners recite the The Hitchhiker's Oath in the presence of all Sponsors. This completes their initiation.

Apprenticeship

The new Apprentice is then assigned to one or more Mentors, most commonly of the Journeyman level. They accompany their Mentor(s) on their travels and learn whatever they can from them.

Occasionally, a Guildmaster may mentor an Apprentice. This is generally in cases where specialized skills are required and the new member is projected to work closely with a local guild rather than traveling full time. 

Ascension

An Apprentice ascends to Journeyman in much the same manner as they did to Apprentice. There is no initiation test, as their apprentice period is considered to fill that role. The The Hitchhiker's Oath is extended per rank, in accordance with increased duties and authority in the guild. The role of Sponsorship is identical.