OK HB2210

Expands youth apprenticeship program eligibility from secondary students to youth ages 16-25, allowing high school students to begin apprenticeships in 11th grade with paid employment starting at age 16

Requires the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education to fund apprenticeship coordinators who serve as liaisons between school districts, industry consortia, and employers while managing site-level apprenticeship caseloads

Mandates each high school apprenticeship include a workplace mentor—an experienced employee providing direct supervision, instruction, and support to ensure apprentices earn recognized credentials

Appropriates $2,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 to implement the youth apprenticeship program

Requires the Secretary of Education to submit annual reports to the Legislature on enrollment, completion rates, return on investment, and rural/suburban/urban capacity differences, informed by an external evaluation costing no more than $12,000