Key Aspects of Registered Teacher Apprenticeships
Industry-Driven Design
Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs (RTAP) are employer-led, meaning Kentucky school districts can tailor their programs to address local workforce needs, including critical shortages and community priorities.
Strong Partnerships
RTAP operate through partnerships between school districts, educator preparation providers (EPPs), and other community stakeholders, including regional education cooperatives and workforce development boards.
“Earn While You Learn” Model
Apprentices receive a salary and benefits while they work in classrooms and complete coursework.
Structured, On-the-Job Training
Apprentices are paired with experienced mentor teachers (“journey workers”) who provide direct support, coaching, and feedback. Simultaneously, apprentices’ complete coursework aligned with licensure requirements.
Expands Opportunity to the Profession
By offering paid pathways, it supports individuals desiring to enter the profession with additional viable option to learn, earn and seek their degree leading to their certification as an educator. (Degreed Apprenticeship Track)
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a registered apprenticeship pathway designed to prepare future teachers through a combination of paid, structured on-the-job learning and related instruction through an educator preparation pathway.
It can support individuals pursuing a pathway into the teaching profession. Specific eligibility, hiring requirements and program design may vary by participating school district and educator preparation provider.
A registered teacher apprenticeship requires partnership. Depending on the local program, partners may include a school district or other employer, an educator preparation provider (EPP), the apprenticeship system, and other workforce or education partners.
Yes. The apprenticeship model combines structured and supervised on-the-job learning with related technical or academic instruction. This allows the apprentice to develop skills in an actual educational setting.
Registered Apprenticeship is an earn-and-learn model. Apprentices are employees and receive wages while completing structured on-the-job learning. Registered Apprenticeship also includes progressive wage growth as skills increase.
Yes. The apprenticeship does not replace educator preparation. Coursework and clinical/work-based experiences are intentionally connected so the apprentice can build the knowledge and skills required for teaching.
High-quality programs aim to eliminate or significantly lower tuition costs, so participants do not accumulate massive debt. Many programs partner with local community colleges or state universities and use federal or state workforce funds to cover expenses.
No. Registered Apprenticeship is employer driven. Local programs are built around required apprenticeship standards while allowing partners to design a pathway that meets workforce needs and aligns with educator preparation requirements.
Recruit, hire and train the candidate. The district/employer is central to the apprenticeship. It employs apprentices, provides structured on-the-job learning, supports supervision and mentoring, and works with partners to help the apprentice progress through the program.
How to Get Started in Kentucky
Whether you’re an aspiring teacher, school district leader, or educator preparation provider, here’s how to take the first step:
