A Padawan, also known as a Padawan learner, Padawan apprentice, Jedi apprentice, or apprentice, was the stage of Jedi training where a Force-sensitive of the Jedi Order trained under a Jedi Knight or Master. A Padawan’s master was meant to choose their apprentice, although, during the galactic Clone Wars, the Jedi High Council began to assign Padawans. In order to become a Knight, the Jedi in training needed to complete their time as a Padawan and the Trials.

During the Clone Wars, Padawans were trained in combat and served as military commanders of clone troopers. At the end of the war, however, Order 66 was enacted by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, forcing the clones to turn on the Jedi Order. Still, some Jedi survived and, under the guidance of two survivors, Masters Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda, Luke Skywalker was trained as a Jedi. Skywalker attempted to rebuild the Order, but the majority of his apprentices were killed and Ben Solo turned to the dark side of the Force. Years later, Rey, a scavenger from the world of Jakku, became the apprentice of Skywalker and later Leia Skywalker Organa Solo.