School districts across the state partner with Indiana University to implement Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP) that prepare K–12 teachers, principals, and school counselors while they work in local schools.
School districts partner with Indiana University to implement Registered Apprenticeship Programs that prepare apprentices while they work in local schools.
The process begins with five steps.
Meet with the IU Office of School Partnerships to review RAP structure, district responsibilities, implementation considerations, and explore the availability of IU academic campus and program partners.
This initial conversation helps determine readiness and identify the most appropriate apprenticeship pathway for your district.
RAP supports local career growth by enabling employees to earn a full wage while completing the coursework required for advancement. This investment builds a dedicated, community-rooted workforce tailored to your school's needs.
Participating districts formalize their partnership with Indiana University by signing the Registered Apprenticeship Employer Agreement.
This agreement establishes the district as the employer of record and outlines responsibilities related to supervision, wages, and reporting.
This point person will act as the primary contact for the RAP, streamlining communication and coordinating data or information requests between the district and OSP.
Participating districts become part of the IU Registered Apprenticeship Network.
Through this network, districts receive ongoing guidance, implementation support, and opportunities to collaborate with other districts implementing registered apprenticeships.
The academic component of the registered apprenticeship, known as Related Technical Instruction (RTI), is provided through a participating Indiana University campus.
As the RTI provider, the campus serves as your strategic partner, ensuring that every apprentice is academically prepared and professionally supported.
Campus representatives serve on your apprentice hiring committees and oversee the formal admission process into degree and licensure programs.
Each program assigns a faculty liaison to manage RAP operations, ensuring your district has a direct line to the university.
The campus manages all coursework and field experiences. To keep you informed, they provide regular updates on apprentice academic standing and licensure milestones at the end of each semester.
IU staff participate in joint planning meetings with your district to ensure the curriculum stays aligned with your specific school needs and any state licensure changes.
School employers recruit and select apprentices in coordination with the Indiana University Office of School Partnerships (OSP) and the IU campus providing the academic program.
This collaborative process helps ensure apprentices meet program eligibility requirements and are prepared for both the academic and workplace expectations of registered apprenticeship.
School employers should first work with IU OSP and the participating IU campus to confirm district readiness and district-specific implementation details. This planning phase includes:
Once planning is complete, school employers begin the recruitment and hiring process with support from IU OSP and the participating IU campus. School employers should:
Registered Apprenticeship mentorship is a structured, intentional process aligned with apprenticeship standards. To ensure success, the school district identifies and assigns a licensed mentor to each apprentice.
This "earn-and-learn" model pairs college coursework with supervised, hands-on experience, allowing apprentices to develop essential skills while working alongside seasoned experts.
This partnership ensures apprentices effectively bridge the gap between foundational theory and real-world classroom practice. While classroom instruction provides the essential knowledge base, on-the-job learning (OJL) allows apprentices to apply that theory in a real-world school setting.
By working with an experienced mentor, apprentices successfully integrate their academic studies with their daily job responsibilities, ensuring professional growth and program completion.
The IU Office of School Partnerships coordinates U.S. DOL OJL data collection and reporting to reduce administrative burden for school employers and participating IU campuses.
Outside scheduled OJL reporting periods, school employers and IU campuses are encouraged to contact OSP at any time with updates, questions, or concerns related to apprentice progress.
School employers are responsible for paying the apprentice their salary and following the progressive wage schedule included in the IU RAP.
School employers are not required to provide tuition assistance as a condition of participating in IU RAPs. When tuition support is offered, arrangements are made either directly between the apprentice and the school employer or in partnership with IU as a billing sponsor.
OSP monitors and shares information about grant funding or financial assistance opportunities that may become available to school employers or apprentices.
Indiana University’s Office of School Partnerships provides technical guidance and partnership support throughout implementation.
