Director talks about CareerTech’s future
Oklahoma CareerTech State Director Brent Haken recently sat down with Oklahoma Business Voice to discuss creating career pathways for students, career-readiness education, workforce growth, artificial intelligence and more.
Haken discussed CareerTech’s delivery arms -- skills centers, technology centers, business and industry training, PK-12 schools and adult education and family literacy -- along with the system’s growth. In his two years as director, he said, the system has grown 16.5 percent, and there is demand for more.
Read more on the Oklahoma Business Voice website.
CaptiveAire strengthens workforce through partnership with Indian Capital Tech
For 25 years, CaptiveAire has been a proud part of the Muskogee community, and its commitment to growth continued with a significant expansion that was completed in 2023.
The $30 million investment included the construction of a new 130,000 square-foot production and warehouse complex dedicated to HVAC product lines, along with new equipment. The expansion created approximately 100 new jobs, adding to the existing local workforce of 220 employees, and doubled the plant’s production capacity.
A key factor in the success of this expansion has been CaptiveAire’s partnership with Indian Capital Technology Center.
Through a Training for Industry Program agreement, funded by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and administered by the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, ICTC has played a crucial role in preparing the new hires.
Read more on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
EOC Tech plans Women Empowering Women Conference
Registration for Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center’s Women Empowering Women Conference will open Jan. 17.
The conference offers women the chance to network, improve leadership skills and learn how to use their strengths. It will be March 27 at EOC Tech. The early bird fee is $99.
Speakers will be Amy Loftis Walton, Lyndi Zavy, Andrea Golden-Pogue and Mark Wilson.
For more information, contact Julie or Megan at 405-390-5332. Registration will open Jan. 17 on the EOC Tech website.
Metro Tech preparing future law enforcement officers
News 9 highlighted Metro Technology Centers’ Public Safety Academy and how it is preparing the next generation of law enforcement officers.
In 2023, Metro Tech opened a facility to train officers to respond to active shooters. It gives officers and students in the Public Safety Academy the chance to practice in realistic scenarios, the news station reported.
The tech center’s programs prepare students and law enforcement officers for any community emergency response, said Jeremy Gibbs, basic peace officer certification coordinator.
Read more on the News 9 website.
Useful links
Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @okcareertech and find us on Facebook at OklahomaCareerTech and on Instagram at oklahomacareertech. Find our podcast at https://www.ctconversations.org/ and watch our news show and other videos on our YouTube channel.
For news about Oklahoma’s CareerTech System, subscribe to CareerTech communications.
State Agency Assistance at a Glance
National Research Center for Career and Technical Education
OK Career Guide Training Opportunities
Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. -- Lou Holtz
