States and school districts are facing significant challenges in attracting and retaining Early Childhood Educators, K-12 Teachers, and school staff such as bus drivers, paraprofessionals, nurses, and mental health professionals. Registered Apprenticeship is an industry-driven training model that can provide a critical talent pipeline for the education system. In 2023, there were over 7,450 registered apprentices served in the education industry, a 247 percent increase over the past 5 years.
“The Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program provides an inclusive career pathway, which honors individuals from diverse backgrounds, and understands the value diverse apprentices bring to addressing the needs of America’s multicultural K-12 student body. The Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program changes lives and builds capacity so America can meet the needs of K-12 students!"
- Mary J Ford, Ed.D., Director of Inclusive Career Pathways, National Collaborative for Digital Equity.
Featured Resources
Profiles of Educator Registered Apprenticeship Programs
The report profiles seven K-12 Teacher RA programs and a K-12 Principal RA program.
Dear Colleague Letter
Departments of Labor and Education collaborate on joint strategies to address Teacher workforce challenges.
Education Webinar
Scaling the Teacher Pipeline and Career Pathways through Registered Apprenticeship.
Factsheet
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Public and Private Sector Actions to Strengthen Teaching Profession and Help Schools Fill Vacancies.
Common Terms
Explore common terms in Teacher Registered Apprenticeships.
Education Webinar
Leveraging Registered Apprenticeships for K-12 Teacher Careers.
See Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Programs in Action
Check out this video of Brazosport Independent School District’s Teacher Registered Apprenticeship program providing an affordable, high-quality pathway into the teaching profession.
Take a look at how the Teacher/Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship program is working to bring more teachers into the classroom and strengthen Iowa's education workforce.
High-Demand Apprenticeship Occupations
- K-12 Principal
- Teachers Aide
- Early Childhood Educator
- Childcare Development Specialist
- Early Childhood/PRE-K Teacher
- Direct Support Specialist
- Teaching Assistant
To explore more apprenticeship occupations in the Education industry, view our Occupation Finder.
Competency-Based Occupational Frameworks
In collaboration with the Urban Institute, we offer national frameworks for occupations in this industry that are consensus based, meaning they are drafted in cooperation with employers, educators, and other workforce and training experts. Employers and businesses can use these frameworks to fast-track the development of their registered apprenticeships. The frameworks are competency based rather than time based, meaning that abilities are emphasized over memorized knowledge or skills. The result is high-quality, competency-based occupational frameworks (CBOFs) that are freely available for all to use. CBOFs are available for the following occupations:
Industry Resources
- CCSSO Teacher Registered Apprenticeship: SEA Self-assessment Tool
- Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Design Principles
- FACT SHEET: The U.S. Department of Education Announces Partnerships Across States, School Districts, and Colleges of Education to Meet Secretary Cardona's Call to Action to Address the Teacher Shortage
As an Apprentice
Educators participate in Registered Apprentice. To learn more about becoming an apprentice visit our career seeker page.
As a Training Provider
Educators deliver academic instruction driven by industry standards. Primary responsibilities include co-creating apprenticeship curriculum alongside local businesses, granting progressive credentials based on competency testing, and facilitating access to financial aid and other support resources (e.g., academic, tutoring, counseling).
As an Intermediary
Educators serve as connectors to their local business community while remaining committed to providing students with quality education, experiential learning, and skills that meet employer needs. Primary responsibilities include recruiting, screening, and testing potential apprentices ready, to begin with, an apprenticeship sponsor. Colleges and universities work with individual employers, large and small, to design a tailored curriculum that meets individual employers' business goals.
As a Sponsor
Educators operate a Registered Apprenticeship Program. Primary responsibilities include assuming full responsibility for the administration and operation of an apprenticeship program. This includes employing apprentices.
Explore How Your Institution Fits in Registered Apprenticeship:
Post-Secondary Institution
Learn more about how post-secondary institutions can aid apprentices in completing a registered apprenticeship and a degree program.
Middle or High School
It's never too early to get a head start on your career. Learn how high and middle schools can create youth apprenticeship programs.