The implementation of modern apprenticeship is not only inevitable for higher vocational education to better serve the current economic and social development, but also an efficient approach to promoting the interaction between vocational education system and industrial economic system, as well as the development of skilled talents. In addition, it is important for the construction of modern vocational education system. In western countries, modern apprenticeship, which has made great contribution to the development of skilled talents, proves to be an effective training mode in vocational education. From the perspective of social construction and by identifying the stakeholders and their interest concerns, this paper analyzes the institutional obstacles and their negative influence on the construction of modern apprentice system. For example, the lack of a credible commitment between enterprises and the apprentice undermines enterprises' positivity; the lack of the protection system of apprentice rights and interests tends to cause apprentice alienation; the absence of industry education function leads to the high cost of transactions between schools and enterprises; the lack of the protection system of labor safety impedes the identity of enterprise masters; the lack of the national curriculum framework gets the quality of apprenticeship training out of control.Based on the above analysis, the authors discuss the challenges facing higher vocational colleges in their construction and practice of modern apprenticeship, and then put forward five mechanisms by analyzing some cases of modern apprentice system in higher vocational colleges. The five mechanisms are:a) building an interest-driven mechanism by integrating the interests of all parties; b) setting up a mechanism of communication consultation through a joint management platform; c) constructing a cooperation mechanism between masters and teachers; d) constructing a curriculum development mechanism through collaborative curriculum development; e) constructing a quality guarantee mechanism by establishing evaluation system. In conclusion, the paper argues how higher vocational colleges could promote modern apprenticeship under the current institutional environment through their innovative practices.