IL HB5247

State Board of Education must adopt rules within 6 months allowing high school students age 16 and older to participate in registered apprenticeship programs approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Registered apprenticeship programs must include on-the-job training with related technical instruction, paid wages at minimum state wage or higher with escalation, and employment continuation for at least 2 years after completion.

Apprentices must earn both an industry-related occupational skills certificate and a high school diploma, with opportunity to earn postsecondary credit toward certificates or degrees.

School boards may allow students to satisfy high school course or graduation requirements by successfully completing a registered apprenticeship program or by substituting related vocational or technical education courses containing at least 50% of required course content.

All non-academic graduation requirements that would prevent apprenticeship participation must be waived, and parental written approval is required for course substitutions.