Professional Apprenticeship as Work Experience for Express Entry

Question

While filling up the work experience section of the express entry profile I came across this sentence,

Do not enter any work related to or performed during an apprenticeship process.

I know for sure this includes the apprenticeship done while being a student, but I cannot understand if it also refers to the professional paid apprenticeships or not.

I have ~2.5 years of professional experience in Italy (out of which 2 years are full-time), on a work permit and paid. However, my work contract has a title like: Professional Apprenticeship (it's an Italian kind of contract). How can I determine if this work experience is eligible to be counted or not?

Answer 1

CIC answers this question very clearly.

Can I count work experience that was part of my education toward the work requirement?

No. Co-op terms and apprenticeships completed before graduating do not count as skilled work experience. They are considered part of an educational program.

The work experience you can use to apply for the Canadian Experience Class must not have been gained while studying full time on a student permit (for example, experience gained while on a co-op work term).