Gov. Kelly proclaims Nov. 12-18 as Apprenticeship Week in Kansas

The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Kansas Registered Teacher Apprenticeship program was recognized as the 2023 Outstanding New Program by the Kansas Department of Commerce on Tuesday, Nov. 14.

Gov. Laura Kelly has proclaimed Nov. 12-18 as Apprenticeship Week in Kansas. This week is also the eighth annual National Apprenticeship Week. It is a nationwide celebration where industry, labor, equity, workforce, education and government leaders host events to showcase the successes and value of registered apprenticeships for rebuilding the economy, advancing racial and gender equity, and supporting underserved communities, according to the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship.

Kelly created the Office of Registered Apprenticeship within the Kansas Department of Commerce to promote the creation of registered apprenticeships as a tool for developing the state’s workforce.

The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship held the second annual National Apprenticeship Week Summit on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Training Facility in Wichita in conjunction with Apprenticeship USA’s National Apprenticeship Week.

The summit featured a wide range of activities, including a keynote presentation by Joshua Johnson, a nationally recognized expert with Jobs for the Future; panel discussions on topics like traditional occupations, nontraditional occupations, apprenticeships at community colleges and apprenticeships for people with diverse abilities; and networking opportunities with professionals in the registered apprenticeship ecosystem.

Also, as part of the summit, the Kansas Office of Apprenticeship recognized several apprenticeship sponsors and intermediaries with awards for their outstanding work with registered apprenticeships across the state of Kansas,  said Dr. Joel Gillaspie, coordinator with KSDE’s Teacher Licensure team.

Gillaspie attended the summit awards ceremony and accepted the 2023 Outstanding New Program award on behalf of KSDE.

KSDE’s teacher apprenticeship pilot program kicked off July 25, 2023, with a workshop at the W. Frank Barton School of Business on the Wichita State University campus.

The registered teacher apprenticeship program combines the rigor and training of a registered apprenticeship with specialized education for individuals who want to become teachers. During the program, the aspiring teacher works alongside an experienced educator, serving as a paid apprentice in a real classroom setting while earning a bachelor’s degree in a teaching program at a university or college accredited by KSDE.

The 2023-2024 school year is serving as a pilot apprenticeship program. It will help ensure administrative processes are in place to open a statewide program during the 2024-2025 school year.