The bill proposes the establishment of a trades-based elective course pilot program in West Virginia, aimed at empowering high school students to pursue careers in the trades. It introduces a new section, 18-2E-14, to the Code of West Virginia, which outlines the legislative findings and purpose of the program, emphasizing the importance of providing students with targeted education in trade-specific subjects. The course will cover essential topics such as English, language arts, and science, while focusing on trades-related information, and will count for one credit toward graduation. The program will be implemented in various geographic regions of the state, utilizing existing faculty from community and technical colleges to minimize costs.

Additionally, the bill sets forth qualifications for instructors, funding mechanisms, and a reporting requirement to assess the program's effectiveness. Funding will come from existing resources, supplemented by industry grants and private contributions. The program is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, coinciding with the 2025/2026 school year, and the West Virginia State Board of Education is tasked with reporting on the program's implementation and success for three years following its launch.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-2E-14