The state of Iowa has launched an updated apprenticeship grant program targeted at preparing more people for careers in education.

Iowa first began the Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship grant program in 2022 as a way to help students and adults advance in their education and careers while learning and working in the classroom. The program supported over 1,000 apprentices and 124 school districts, according to a news release.

The updated program has streamlined the application process, making it easier for school districts to apply and find support they need to develop new teachers, according to the release.

“Today’s announcement will make this unique opportunity even more widely available and further enhance the education talent pipeline in our state. I encourage all eligible school districts to consider applying,” Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a news release.

The new grant opportunity is targeted at K-12 school districts that did not receive grants in the original program. Priority funding will be considered for districts that show a high need for additional certified teachers based on current and upcoming openings in their district and that have a high percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced-priced lunches.

The grants will provide money to pay for educational courses for people who want to become teacher’s aides or educators. Teacher’s aides apprentices will be eligible to receive grants for up to four semesters of coursework, or $32,800; educator apprentices will be eligible to receive grants for up to four semesters, or $38,000.

Money for the grants is coming from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and state funds.

For information about the program, click here.