Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program

Registered apprenticeships are a supported pathway for teacher candidates to acquire knowledge and skills needed to be teachers while working in various roles in education settings. Candidates complete coursework from MDE approved educator preparation providers and are mentored to work with students in various capacities as fits their current abilities and experience level. Initial roles may include lunch room assistant, hallway monitor, or recess supervisor, for example. Over the course of several years candidates progress in understanding and experience and may move to more challenging roles within the school system, such as substitute teacher or paraprofessional.

Registered apprenticeships are an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway in which employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, and can receive progressive wage increases, college coursework, and eventually, a Michigan Teaching Certificate. Registered apprenticeships are industry-vetted and approved and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and a state apprenticeship agency, which in Michigan is the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). Registered teacher apprenticeship programs will help increase the overall quantity, quality, and diversity of Michigan’s teachers.

Registered apprenticeships have long been a proven pathway to prepare professionals in a multitude of careers. This is a new pathway into the teaching profession, one that will provide earn-while-you-learn opportunities, substantial pre-teaching mentoring, and a great deal of experience with children prior to becoming a teacher. At the same time, the bar for entry into the profession will not be lowered. The registered teacher apprenticeship program does not change the requirements for entry into the teaching profession. Teacher apprentices still will need to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree, graduate from an approved educator preparation program, and pass a teacher certification test (Michigan Test for Teacher Certification). In some instances, an apprentice may come in with prior knowledge and experience, which is taken into consideration and applied to the process. 

College courses are paid for by the employing school that can take advantage of a variety of federal, state, and local funding streams to offset the employer’s costs. Wrap-around services are also provided to the apprentice as needed.