South Dakota’s Teacher Apprenticeship Program Earns National Honors
WASHINGTON – The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation was honored with the prestigious Pinnacle Award for Business Development for its Teacher Apprenticeship Program. Presented by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies’ (NASWA) Employment & Training Committee at the 2025 Winter Policy Forum in Washington, DC, this award is bestowed upon a state demonstrating excellence and innovation in the area of employer engagement.
The Teacher Apprenticeship Program, a joint effort by state agencies, universities, and school districts, upskills paraprofessionals through paid on-the-job training and college coursework. The program provides a pathway for paraprofessionals to earn a nationally recognized credential plus a bachelor's degree to become certified teachers while remaining in their home districts.
By enabling participants to earn their degrees while maintaining full-time employment, this model overcomes financial barriers and promotes teacher retention within local communities. Participants can earn a living for their families and continue working with the students they have been assisting. With a 90% retention rate, the program is expected to fill nearly half of the state's 300 open teaching positions. A key factor in the completion rate is its strong mentorship program. Apprentices are paired with both local and regional mentors, providing guidance and support throughout their training journey.
“South Dakota’s Teacher Apprenticeship Program is helping state school districts retain these valuable individuals,” NASWA President and CEO Scott B. Sanders said. “This program not only enhances the professional with career development, it also strengthens effective learning for the students those districts serve.”
“In recent years, teachers have been hard-to-fill positions with some of the highest number of job openings in South Dakota,” said South Dakota Labor and Regulation Secretary Marcia Hultman. “This pathway has already achieved great results in addressing this need. It’s simple; apprenticeships work.”
For more information, visit NASWA’s Winter Policy Forum and Employment & Training Committee webpages.
###
About the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation (dlr.sd.gov): The mission of the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation is to promote economic opportunity and financial security for individuals and businesses through quality, responsive, and expert services; fair employment solutions; and safe and sound business practices.
