Ohio Skilled Trades Apprenticeship and Career-Technical Partnership Act

The State of Ohio shall establish and expand a statewide Skilled Trades Apprenticeship and Career-Technical Partnership Program within the Department of Education and Workforce, in coordination with community colleges, registered labor organizations, joint apprenticeship training committees, and Ohio-based manufacturers, to fund paid pre-apprenticeships, dual-credit career-tech coursework, equipment upgrades, student transportation, and employer placement incentives for high school juniors, seniors, recent graduates, and displaced workers entering high-demand skilled trades; priority shall be given to programs in manufacturing, construction, energy, and advanced technology fields, with grants awarded to partnerships that demonstrate local employer commitments, recognized industry credentials, and clear pathways into registered apprenticeships or full-time employment without requiring a four-year degree.