The Success Via Apprenticeship (SVA) Program is a collaborative project established in 1984 by the New York City Public Schools (NYCPS), the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), and the City University of New York (CUNY). The program's function is to prepare qualified graduates of CTE high schools to become certified Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers within the New York City Public Schools system over a five-year period.
Program Components
The SVA program is designed to provide candidates with technical trade skills and core pedagogical knowledge through a five-year training approach. Career and Technical Education teachers require a depth of knowledge in both their core discipline's industry standards and instructional pedagogy.
Three Training Sequences
The program is structured around three sequences that run concurrently over the five-year period:
2 Years of Mentored Teaching
- Apprentices are supervised by an expert teacher to learn classroom dynamics, with a requirement to design and deliver a minimum of two lessons per week.
3 Years of Industry Experience
- Apprentices are placed in an industry setting for day-to-day on-the-job experience under the supervision of industry professionals, adhering to company working hours and rules.
5 Years of College Courses*
- Completion of necessary pedagogical coursework and college requisites for New York State Education Department CTE teacher licensure. The Success Via Apprenticeship Program covers 46 credits of tuition.
*College courses run concurrently with teaching and industry sequences.
Program Benefits
Apprentices enrolled in the Success Via Apprenticeship Program receive:
- Competitive salary
- Full health benefits and sick leave policy
- Membership in the United Federation of Teachers (UFT)
- 46 credits of tuition covered by NYC Public Schools
Hiring Process
The SVA Program seeks individuals dedicated to teaching and learning within Career and Technical Education high schools.
Eligibility
The Success Via Apprenticeship Program is committed to training individuals who have a passion for teaching and learning.
Candidates must:
- Be a graduate of a NYC CTE High School or comprehensive CTE program
- Be nominated by their Principal
- Have an outstanding academic record
- Apply and gain admission to the CUNY NYC College of Technology (City Tech)
Application Process
Application forms are distributed to CTE schools at the beginning of each recruitment cycle. Selection priority is given to subject areas with a current or foreseeable teacher shortage. Selection of applicants within each high school is conducted by an ad hoc committee composed of trade teachers, building administrators, and representatives of the teachers' union.
Recruitment Timeline
Applications will be available to prospective candidates at the beginning of the recruitment cycle in December each year. The applications must be submitted within 3 years of graduation.
December: APPLY
February
- City Tech Application is due on the 1st
March
- SVA Application is due by the 30th
April: INTERVIEWS
- SVA Application will be reviewed Candidates will be contacted for interviews
- 1st Round: Pre-screen Phone Interview
- 2nd Round: In-Person Team Interview with the SVA Director
May: THE OFFER
- The SVA Director will contact successful candidates to make an offer and discuss the next steps.
August: HIRING & ONBOARDING
- The SVA Director will provide information about the onboarding process. Selected Teacher Candidates will be asked to sign a letter of commitment and attend a mandatory summer training and orientation.