IL HB0082

State Board of Education shall develop and maintain an advanced manufacturing technical skills program beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.

Program shall be implemented in at least 12 public high schools over 3 years in areas where youth unemployment rate is at least twice the national average, including at least 2 schools on Chicago's west side, 2 on the south side, and 2 in southern suburbs.

Participating high schools must offer advanced manufacturing courses with classroom and hands-on experiential learning, equipped with computers, digital design units, CNC machines, and modern manufacturing equipment.

Instructors must have minimum 3 years of industry certifications, experience teaching urban or financially challenged youth, and adequate shop experience in manufacturing settings.

State Board shall ensure adequate funding for each participating school including at least one industry coordinator, tutoring, pre-employment and on-the-job mentoring, professional and leadership development, and financial management instruction, with a program provider having at least 10 years of manufacturing industry experience.