Hot Springs and Noxon take part in teacher apprenticeship program

Hot Springs and Noxon school districts are taking part in Montana’s Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program. 

Through a $1 million federal grant, Western Governors University is partnering with 26 Montana school districts to prepare 78 new teacher apprentices in six high-need certification areas, supporting a stronger, more sustainable teacher workforce across Montana, particularly in rural and underserved areas, according to information from Gov. Greg Gianforte's office. 

Through the program, apprentices will be paid for the full four-year duration of their classroom experience and will receive ongoing, hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced mentor teachers while completing their academic coursework through accredited higher education partners. Upon successful completion of the program, apprentices will become licensed K-12 educators in Montana.  

“We are incredibly proud to deepen our partnership with one of our founding states through the Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program,” said Dr. Jeff Borden, Executive Dean and Senior Vice President of the WGU School of Education. “Thanks to this grant, we are working to eliminate financial hurdles for our candidates and ensuring that Montana’s rural and frontier classrooms will be led by highly qualified, homegrown educators. We thank the Governor for his visionary leadership in workforce development and are proud to work alongside state leaders and districts to help strengthen opportunities for educators and schools across Montana.” 

A new analysis of the Education and Child Care sector, released today by DLI as a part of the governor’s 406 JOBS initiative, highlights the growing workforce demand across the education sector and the need for expanded training and workforce pathways statewide. According to the report, Montana is projected to see approximately 3,960 education job openings each year over the next decade. 

“Montana continues to face workforce shortages across the education sector, with many occupations – including teachers and paraprofessionals – currently undersupplied statewide,” said Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of Labor and Industry. “By expanding Teacher Registered Apprenticeships and aligning this work to our 406 JOBS initiative, we are building a pipeline of highly qualified educators who are trained in Montana, for Montana.” 

The following Montana school districts are participating in the Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program: 

·         Anaconda School District 

·         Bridger Public Schools 

·         Canyon Creek School District 

·         Colstrip School District 

·         Creston School District 

·         Culbertson School District 

·         Deer Park School District 

·         Dutton/Brady School District 

·         Froid School District 

·         Harlowton Public Schools 

·         Havre Public Schools  

·         Helena School District 

·         Hobson Public Schools 

·         Hot Springs School District 

·         Independent School District 52 

·         Joliet School District 

·         Laurel Public Schools  

·         Lockwood School District 

·         Marion School 

·         Noxon Public Schools 

·         Polson School District 

·         Roy School District 74 

·         Somers Lakeside School District 

·         St. Ignatius Public Schools 

·         Sweet Grass County School District 

·         Vaughn School 

Montana’s Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program is part of the state’s broader effort to expand Registered Apprenticeships and strengthen workforce pathways across key industries through the governor’s 406 JOBS initiative.