Recruiting & Hiring Apprentices
Executive Summary
In order to engage candidates in your apprenticeship-based teaching degree program, you need to know which roles are eligible for the program. From there, you can develop a plan for internal and external recruiting. This resource includes guidance for developing those plans, as well as samples you can use for recruiting and a recommended process for hiring apprentices.
Eligible Roles
All apprentices in an apprenticeship-based teaching degree program must meet their sponsor’s apprenticeship requirements.
If your related instruction provider is Reach University: In order to be eligible for a Reach University BA program, apprentices need to be employed by a school and have access to 15 hours of classroom time per week. In most cases, Reach BA apprentices are classroom aides and paraprofessionals, but other jobs in schools are also eligible if the apprentice will be able to fulfill the classroom requirement. This may mean that you, as the employer, need to provide coverage and/or an opportunity to be in a classroom for 15 hours per week.
If your related instruction provider is not Reach University: Check with your related instruction provider and/or consult your sponsor’s recognized apprenticeship program requirements. Create a list of roles that fulfill those requirements.
Internal Recruiting
Developing and implementing a strong internal recruiting plan is critical to successfully recruiting apprentices from among your existing school employees. When developing your plan, consider:
What are the top 3-4 key points that you want faculty to know about your program? Example messages include:
Become a teacher and double (or increase by ___%) your income in your first year
Continue earning money in your current job while you complete your BA and increase your future earning potential
Have an integrated working and learning experience
This is a faster and more efficient way to earn a BA
Earn your BA at a cost of only $___ per year
[District Name] is looking for current employees who want to become teachers. Complete your BA and earn your credential while you keep working, and then become a teacher with us when you’re ready!
This BA is designed for working professionals, so it’s flexible and timed to work with your schedule.
What are existing channels that you can leverage to inform current employees about this program? Consider:
Internal district and/or principal newsletters that go to all employees
In-service and professional development days
District and/or principal town hall meetings
Including the application to the education preparation provider’s programs as part of the onboarding process for new employees
Managers - they can be trained to have 1:1 conversations with their direct reports
Human resources team - they could pull a list of all paraprofessionals and instructional aides in the district and send them personal notes and/or invitations to meet
What is the right time to promote this opportunity? Consider:
Your educator preparation provider’s application deadlines
Relevant timelines within your school or district
External Recruiting
Developing and implementing a strong external recruiting plan is critical to successfully recruiting apprentices to join your school or district. When developing your plan, consider:
What are the top 3-4 key points that you want prospective applicants to know about your program? Example messages include:
We offer a unique program that enables you to work with us in a full-time paid job while getting your BA.
This is not just a job - this is a career pathway.
Earn money to support yourself today
Earn your degree while working with an employer who wants you to succeed
Have an integrated working and learning experience
Build a relationship with a school to help you land a teaching job when you finish your degree
Gain hands-on experience in the classroom, working alongside experienced teachers and learning from them directly.
Gain the knowledge and skills you need to become a great teacher. This includes subject area content knowledge and pedagogy, as well as the classroom management skills needed to effectively teach students.
Our degree partner offers a very low-cost program, and because you’ll be on track to double your income on completion, it essentially pays for itself.
Where can you find existing candidates? Consider promoting your job description, with information about this program, in the following places:
External:
Community colleges’ career services departments/websites
Community colleges department chairs - send them a personal email sharing the opportunity for their students to earn and learn
Your district website
Your state education department’s website
National job boards, such as LinkedIn and GlassDoor
Education-specific job boards
Social media platforms
For referrals:
Internal newsletters/communications to current school employees
District and/or principal town hall meetings
Newsletters/communications to families
Consider creating a referral program and offering incentives
Customizable Samples for Recruitment
Paragraph to add to job description
This position offers the opportunity to join our teaching apprenticeship-based degree program with Reach University, a unique opportunity for individuals looking to gain hands-on experience in the classroom while earning their BA. As an apprentice, you will work alongside experienced teachers, learning from them directly and receiving mentorship and support throughout the program. Your work experience will also count as credit towards your degree, enabling you to complete your degree more quickly. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be well-prepared for a career in teaching and will have access to job opportunities within our district. In our district, first-year teachers currently earn $____. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals who are passionate about education and want to make a positive impact on the lives of students while earning their degree. Apply today and take the first step towards a rewarding career in teaching.
Paragraph to add to website and/or include in newsletter
[District name] is partnering with Reach University to offer a teaching apprenticeship-based degree program. This is a unique opportunity for individuals looking to gain hands-on experience in the classroom while earning their BA. Apprentices work alongside experienced teachers, learning from them directly and receiving mentorship and support throughout the program. Your work experience will also count as credit towards your degree, enabling you to complete your degree more quickly. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be well-prepared for a career in teaching and will have access to job opportunities within our district. In our district, first-year teachers currently earn $____. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals who are passionate about education and want to make a positive impact on the lives of students while earning their degree. Apply today and take the first step towards a rewarding career in teaching.
Sample promotional flyers & social media post
The following resources should be modified for your district’s and/or educator preparation provider’s program. They are in Canva as templates and can be copied and easily edited for your use.
Sample promotional calendar
Week 1
Ensure job description, including new program description, is live on:
Community colleges’ career services departments/websites
Our district website
State education department’s website
National job boards, such as LinkedIn and GlassDoor
Education-specific job boards
Post program announcement on social media
Post program announcement on website
Include program ad in district newsletter
Include program ad in family newsletter
Include program ad in principal newsletter
Week 2
Post program announcement on social media
Include program ad in district newsletter
Include program ad in family newsletter
Include program ad in principal newsletter
Train all managers who oversee paraprofessionals to have conversations with their direct reports about this opportunity
HR team sends emails to all paraprofessionals sharing flyer about the opportunity and inviting them to join a meeting (will be offered at 2 different times) to learn more about this opportunity
Week 3
Refresh job description across all sites
Follow up with managers to ensure they had conversations with their direct reports, and gather names of interested candidates. Send reminders to them about HR’s planned meetings
HR team sends reminder emails to all paraprofessionals sharing flyer about the opportunity and inviting them to join a meeting (will be offered at 2 different times) to learn more about this opportunity
Include program ad in district newsletter
Include program ad in family newsletter
Include program ad in principal newsletter
Post about program on social media
Week 4
HR team hosts meetings about the program and sends follow up email with next steps for applying
Include program ad in district newsletter
Include program ad in family newsletter
Include program ad in principal newsletter
Post about program on social media
This calendar could be repeated for several months.
Hiring Apprentices
We recommend the following process for hiring apprentices:
Apprentices apply to your district’s paraprofessional, instructional aide, or other designated roles.
Apprentices are informed about the opportunity to join the apprenticeship-based teaching degree program via the job description. We do not recommend requiring candidates to apply to the program prior to hiring. Instead, we recommend keeping the requirements for submitting a job application low, thereby reducing barriers to entry and enabling you to speak to as many prospective candidates as possible.
Your district interviews and evaluates candidates. Share information about the apprenticeship-based teaching degree as a selling point (or requirement, if it is) for working in your district.
Depending on the ratio of applicants you have to positions to fill, as well as your district’s long-term teaching goals, you may consider including candidates’ interest in becoming a teacher as a component of your selection process.
Extend offers to candidates.
If your district is requiring participation in the program for certain jobs, be sure that your offer letter includes language stating that acceptance to Reach University (or your educator preparation provider) is a condition of employment.
When candidates have accepted the offer, include applying to Reach University’s undergraduate program as a step in the onboarding process.