Governor Gianforte, DLI Announces $4 Million Investment in Montana's First Teacher Apprenticeship Program

HELENA, MT - Governor Greg Gianforte and Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) Commissioner Sarah Swanson today announced Montana has been awarded a $4 million grant to launch the state’s first registered teacher apprenticeship program.

“Preparing the next generation of Montana’s workforce and supporting starting teachers has been a top priority of our administration,” Gov. Gianforte. “Through this investment, we’re preparing future educators and getting more teachers in the classroom to better serve Montana students and families.”

“Montana’s future depends on growing and retaining strong, local teachers who understand the communities they serve,” said DLI Commissioner Sarah Swanson. “This apprenticeship model lowers the barriers to entering the profession, brings workforce training into communities, and builds a homegrown pipeline of teachers who are more likely to stay and thrive in Montana’s classrooms.”

The grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor’s State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula (SAEF) program, to support a stronger, more sustainable teacher workforce across Montana, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Through the program, Montana will develop and implement a high-quality, earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship program for aspiring K-12 educators. Apprentices will be paid for the full 4-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. 

The initial program will serve a minimum of 40 school districts statewide, including at least 12 located in rural or tribal communities. It will launch with an initial cohort of 160 registered teacher apprentices and 40 youth pre-apprentices. The first cohort of apprentices will begin in summer and fall of 2026, with a second cohort launching in spring 2027.

DLI is partnering with the Coalition of Advocates for Montana’s Public Schools (CAMPS), the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI), and the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE) to complete the program design and launch a registered teacher apprenticeship framework that reflects the needs of Montana students, families, and communities.

“As a former teacher and school administrator, I understand firsthand the critical need for more highly qualified educators in our classrooms. This new apprenticeship program will help build a stronger future by preparing the next generation of teachers to guide and inspire our students for years to come,” said Montana Superintendent Susie Hedalen.

“This initiative marks crucial advancement in tackling the teacher recruitment and retention crisis in our rural schools,” said Lance Melton, Executive Director of the Montana School Boards Association. “By investing in registered apprenticeships, we are not merely training future educators; we are nurturing a skilled workforce that truly understands the values of the communities we serve. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter future for Montana’s public schools, ensuring our students receive the high-quality education they deserve.”

Montana’s Registered Apprenticeship system currently supports over 700 employers and over 3,300 apprentices in industries ranging from construction, to healthcare, to financial services.