SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(KELO)- A new Teacher Apprenticeship program will help 90 South Dakota teacher’s aides on the path to becoming certified teachers.

That includes nine aides in the Sioux Falls district.

Sioux Falls has offered an apprenticeship program in the past, but Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jamie Nold says it lacked the funding this program offers for class work.

The program allows the teachers’ aides to work toward a college degree while they’re still on the job.

Nold says the new state program will help the aides when it comes time for their student teaching.

Nold sees it as an important component of solving the shortage of teachers in the classroom.