HI SB298

Establishes a Workforce Readiness Program within the Department of Education to allow high school students to graduate with both a high school diploma and an industry-recognized associate's degree.

Requires participating schools to include grades nine through twelve, offer dual credit courses, and integrate high school and college curriculum with workplace experiences including mentoring, job shadowing, internships, and pre-apprenticeship training.

Authorizes students to earn pre-apprenticeship certificates and other industry-recognized certificates in addition to an associate's degree, with curriculum based on current and projected industry standards in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Requires the Department of Education to coordinate with the University of Hawaii and Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and to enter into contracts with industry employers near school complexes to develop and implement the program.

Appropriates general revenue funds for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 to establish the program, with the effective date of July 1, 2112.