Director's Memo 2021-10-4

Lee Ann Gregory, payroll specialist in the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, was recently named the 2021 Oklahoma Payroll Professional of the Year.

She received the honor at the 20th annual Oklahoma Payroll Conference presented by the Northeastern Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City chapters of the American Payroll Association.

More than 7 million people work in construction in the United States -- and more than 83,000 Oklahomans work in construction -- but the industry will need 700,000 new professionals by 2026, and Oklahoma predicts a growth of 12 percent..

Oklahoma CareerTech is working to fill that gap with construction trades training and education at its 29 technology centers and at its skills centers. The system offers education in carpentry, masonry, HVAC, plumbing, electrical work, heavy equipment operation, cabinetmaking and computer-aided design and drafting.

Oklahoma CareerTech’s construction trades programs are celebrating the national Careers in Construction Month in October, and Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed a proclamation declaring that October is Careers in Construction Month in Oklahoma.

Careers in Construction Month was founded by the National Center for Construction Education and Research and Build Your Future to increase public awareness and inspire the next generation of construction craft professionals.

For more information about CareerTech’s construction trades programs, go to CareerTech’s architecture and construction career cluster page or visit your local technology center.