Department of Labor and Industry awards grants to expand registered teacher apprenticeship programs

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has awarded grants to three registered apprenticeship programs through its Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program Grant. The selected programs are:

• Minneapolis Public Schools
• Minnesota Teacher Apprenticeship Joint Training Committee
• Teacher Apprenticeship Minnesota

The funding will allow these organizations to help participants earn a Minnesota teaching license in areas such as special education, elementary education and early childhood education. Participants will earn a bachelor’s degree and receive their teaching license at no cost. They will work in a school district while being mentored by an experienced teacher. This “earn-and-learn” model aims to reduce teacher shortages and strengthen Minnesota’s education workforce.

“Registered apprenticeship is considered the gold-standard in employment-based training, combining on-the-job learning with related technical instruction to prepare workers for highly skilled careers,” said Nicole Blissenbach, DLI commissioner. “This model has been extremely successful within the construction trades and we’re excited to see it applied to education. These grants will help aspiring educators to earn while they learn, supporting schools in recruiting and retaining talent and ensuring students have access to high-quality teachers.”

Registered teacher apprenticeship programs launched in Minnesota in August 2024. Today, more than 100 registered teacher apprentices are active in the state. Nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 5,000 teacher apprentices participate in registered apprenticeship programs across 40 states and territories.

The Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program Grant was funded during the 2025 legislative session. The available grant funds for qualified organizations were $3 million. The grant application process is now closed. The grant period runs from Feb. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2030.

About Apprenticeship Minnesota

Apprenticeship Minnesota, a program within DLI, promotes, develops, and supports registered apprenticeship opportunities across industries. Apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with related technical instruction, offering a proven pathway to careers in high-demand fields.

Media contact:  James Honerman at 651-284-5313 or [email protected].

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