CareerTech vital to construction industry workforce
More than 7 million people work in construction in the United States – and more than 83,000 Oklahomans work in the field – but the industry will need 700,000 new professionals by 2026, and Oklahoma predicts a growth of 12%.
The state of Oklahoma recognized October as Careers in Construction Month, founded by the National Center for Construction Education and Research and Build Your Future, but efforts to increase public awareness and inspire the next generation of construction craft professionals must continue year-round.
The demand for workers in construction careers across multiple sectors is expected to grow in Oklahoma through 2026, with 850 projected job openings annually for electricians, 430 openings this year for HVAC workers and nearly 1,000 openings annually for plumbers. In addition, roofing jobs are projected to grow by 11% by 2026.
Jim Chappell and Shannon Hudson of Impact Contractors LLC told how OkPTAC helped them find federal contracting opportunities in a video on Oklahoma CareerTech’s YouTube channel.
OkPTAC is a procurement technical assistance center that helps Oklahoma businesses interested in selling products and services to federal, state, local and tribal governments. Oklahoma CareerTech administers the program, which assists clients through participating technology centers.
The Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training recognized Oklahoma CareerTech employee Craig Maile this week for his service on the curriculum review board.
Maile represented the Oklahoma CareerTech System on the board since 2007. The board made a presentation to him at its meeting Tuesday.
“Serving on the curriculum review board has been an honor for me. Several family members have served in law enforcement, including a sister who is a CLEET academy graduate,” said Maile, manager of Oklahoma CareerTech’s Resource Center for CareerTech Advancement. “Offering advice to CLEET on their curriculum made me feel that I was contributing to the larger mission of the law enforcement community.”
CLEET’s curriculum review board establishes curriculum for all CLEET academies and training courses. Members of the board come from law enforcement, higher education and Oklahoma CareerTech.
A vote in Mangum for annexation into Southwest Technology Center’s district passed with 66% of the vote last week.
Students at Mangum High School will have the opportunity to attend Southwest Tech in Altus for free, and adults will be able to attend with 50 percent off their tuition.
Developer of OKC property praises CareerTech
The leader of a partnership chosen to develop 577 acres in Oklahoma City praised Oklahoma CareerTech in The Oklahoman.
“Oklahoma City is now the place to be. Our CareerTech system is off the charts and they are creating a workforce that is first class,” Richard Tanenbaum told the newspaper.
His group was chosen to develop the $500 million industrial park. Read more about it on The Oklahoman’s website.
CareerTech instructor a finalist for math, science teaching award.
Emily Harris, an Oklahoma CareerTech STEM teacher in Stillwater Public Schools, is one of six Oklahoma finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Harris teaches engineering at Stillwater Middle School.
