VDOE awarded $6M to expand teacher apprenticeships

RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Department of Education, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement (Virginia Works), has been awarded a State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula (SAEF2) grant by the U.S. Department of Labor to develop and expand Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway and pre-apprenticeship pathway opportunities in Virginia.

“The apprenticeship grant awarded today will help develop Virginia’s next generation of teachers through innovative programs and a proven approach giving our aspiring teachers financial assistance and a full year of in-school, apprenticeship training,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons. “We know there are better ways to develop teachers, and that is by giving them an opportunity to grow within the school, complete their coursework in coordination with classroom experiences, and this model changes how we prepare teachers for the classroom. It is imperative that school districts and higher education work together to provide stronger opportunities to become the high-quality teachers our students deserve.”

The $6 million grant will enable Virginia to focus on expanding its registered apprenticeship program for K-12 educators and building pre-apprenticeship on-ramps into the teaching profession. During the 2023-2024 school year, 28 school divisions launched registered teacher apprenticeship programs.

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