West Central Indiana Career & Technical Education announced Monday the launch of its youth apprenticeship program in partnership with Ascend Indiana. This initiative will provide 18 students with hands-on, paid apprenticeship opportunities in education professions, beginning with the 2025-26 school year.
The demands on today’s educators are increasing while the pool of candidates continues to diminish. Teacher pay in this region is competitive and already exceeds the $45,000 minimum salary expectation of legislators. Increased compensation helps, but administrators continue to struggle with filling vacancies in math, English, special education and science.
Recruiting and retaining classroom instructional assistants and early childhood support staff is also challenging. The funds needed to pay these positions are not adequately supported by the state or federal level.
It is the hope of West Central CTE that the youth apprentice program will inspire interested students in continuing their pursuit of a career in helping students grow and learn. Additionally, a study by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development projects a workforce deficit of 102 early childhood education professionals in our region by 2030. Recognizing this critical shortage, program officials saw an immediate need to develop a strong talent pipeline. Education became the natural focus for its first-year youth apprenticeship program, directly addressing workforce gaps within our community.
The program will feature two specialized tracks: Future Educator (K-12) and Early Childhood Education (ECE). Through collaborations with Crawfordsville, North Montgomery, Southmont and Western Boone school districts — as well as KinderCare at the Montgomery County Early Learning Center —students will gain real-world classroom experience while working toward their professional goals in education.
This initiative is made possible through a grant from Ascend Indiana, with funding from the Walton Family Foundation, which is supporting the expansion of youth apprenticeships across the state. Participating students will engage in meaningful, structured learning experiences within educational settings while earning wages as employees of their respective districts. The program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop essential teaching skills, gain real-world experience, and establish professional connections that will support their future careers in education.
“As the nation — and state — continue to struggle with elementary school teacher vacancies, West Central CTE’s focus on engaging high school students in an early childhood education career path couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Brad Rhorer, president and CEO of Ascend Indiana. “Data show that students overwhelmingly express interest in some form of work-based learning experiences. Through these apprenticeship programs, West Central CTE is filling an important unmet need by connecting students to employers in their communities.”
Key program highlights:
• Open to students from Crawfordsville, North Montgomery, Southmont and Western Boone high schools.
• Paid apprenticeship roles with school districts and KinderCare.
• Hands-on experience in classrooms with mentorship from seasoned educators.
• Dual credit opportunities, allowing students to earn college credits.
• Alignment with workforce needs in education, preparing students for in-demand teaching careers.
“This apprenticeship program is a significant step toward addressing our educator pipeline while providing our students with invaluable career experience,” said Chase Justus, Work-Based Learning Coordinator for West Central CTE. “By integrating hands-on learning with structured mentorship, we are equipping future educators with the skills and experience necessary to thrive in the classroom.”
The youth apprenticeship program offers students a unique career pathway, ensuring they receive practical training and academic preparation while still in high school. This initiative also supports local education systems by fostering a pipeline of dedicated, well-trained professionals committed to shaping the future of learning in our communities.
For further details on the program, including eligibility and application information, contact Justus by email at cjustus@cville.k12.in.us.
