This article examines the West German “Lehrlingsbewegung” (movement of apprentices) between 1968 and 1972. It is based on a case study of Hamburg. Focused on the student movement, contemporary historical research has paid little attention to the role young workers played in "1968". The article shows the dynamics of the protest movement, especially in its first phase, when it was able to mobilize thousands of young workers. It points out that the protests of apprentices in Hamburg were dominated by diverse left-wing factions and communist organizations, but also entered a process of integration into mainstream trade unions, before declining rapidly after 1972.