Oklahoma CareerTech surpasses K-12 enrollment goal two years early
Oklahoma CareerTech has exceeded its five-year goal for K-12 enrollment more than two years ahead of schedule, CareerTech State Director Brent Haken told state House lawmakers Monday.
In 2023, CareerTech set a target to grow K-12 enrollments from 138,000 to 150,000 by 2028. That goal was surpassed in fiscal year 2025, with more than 151,000 Oklahoma students participating in CareerTech programs in middle, junior high and high schools across Oklahoma.
Haken said the growth reflects an ongoing effort to add programs and resources for K-12 schools and a strong demand for career readiness education among students, parents, educators and employers. CareerTech recently added 280 new career readiness programs in K-12 schools, thanks to additional funding for fiscal year 2024, Haken said.
Read more on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
CareerTech calls for greater investment to meet growing demand for workforce training
Oklahoma CareerTech leaders are calling for a stronger state investment in career and technology education to meet rapidly growing demand among students and employers.
Despite record enrollments and expanding workforce needs, Oklahoma CareerTech receives just 3% of the state’s education budget, an amount CareerTech officials say is not enough to meet demand, sustain growth or modernize programs.
“It’s simply not enough to move forward with the demand we have,” CareerTech State Director Brent Haken said Tuesday during an interim study led by District 68 Rep. Mike Lay, R-Jenks. “We have seen a 40% increase in demand since COVID. While we have moved forward as much as possible, we will continue to ask for more dollars to make sure the investment matches that demand.”
Read more on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
Kiamichi Tech instructor wins statewide award
Lauren Denny, interactive media instructor at Kiamichi Technology Centers, was recently named Business Partner of the Year at the Dream BIG Oklahoma Awards hosted by REI Oklahoma.
Denny was honored for her work with REI Oklahoma leading online training and entrepreneurial workshops that regularly draw more than l00 attendees.
“This partnership with REI Oklahoma allows me to do what I love most -- help people tell their stories,” said Denny. “Technology can feel intimidating, but my goal is to make it approachable and fun. Seeing small business owners gain confidence and clarity in how to share what they do is incredibly rewarding.”
Read more on the Kiamichi Tech website.
Mid-Del Tech masonry students learn preservation while restoring historic mansion
Mid-Del Technology Center students recently participated in a preservation masonry workshop at the Slaughter Mansion in Oklahoma City.
The Hands On Preservation Experience Crew from the National Trust for Historic Preservation conducted the workshop at the 1937 house, which was the home of Oklahoma City’s first Black doctor.
The students, along with students from Guthrie Job Corps, learned new techniques and saw how their skills can affect their community, Robert McKibben, Mid-Del masonry instructor, told The Oklahoman.
The project was a “perfect example of what CareerTech education is all about — blending hands-on, real-world learning with meaningful community projects,” Mid-Del Assistant Superintendent Becki Foster told the newspaper.
Read more on The Oklahoman’s website.
Meridian Tech buys property to expand workforce training
Meridian Technology Center recently bought land in the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce’s industrial park to expand its workforce and safety training.
The three lots, two purchased from the chamber and one from a private seller, are part of plans to build an industrial and safety training facility. The Stillwater News Press reported that early plans for a 12,000-square-foot facility include flexible classrooms and a bay for training in forklift operations, industrial maintenance, welding and network cable splicing.
Read more on the Stillwater News Press website.
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State Agency Assistance at a Glance
National Research Center for Career and Technical Education
OK Career Guide Training Opportunities
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