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@skydancer
Primary position is when you are riding in the traffic stream and drivers who wish to pass have to move to the next/oncoming lane.
Secondary is when you move to the left of the traffic stream letting a driver pass without them having to completely change lanes
ideally you get given the same room by drivers when they pass because you are in secondary position when there is room for them to pass you wide
Both these positions relate to the traffic stream not the kerb
experienced riders move between these positions dynamically as Oliver said depending on circumstances.
cycle trainers don't tell you where to ride. They assess with you different options and shift your relationship from 'distance from the kerb' to 'position in the traffic stream' .
When you get used to riding like this you command so much more space on the road and cars rarely pass you close which feels great and is why I struggled recently on a forum ride to follow roadie conventions letting drivers squeeze past on country lanes. It also why I would feel squeezed in cycle lanes if I used them