Great Plains employee wins ACTE Region IV award
Valerie Tibbs, S.C.O.R.E./career counselor at Great Plains Technology Center, has been named the 2026 ACTE Region IV Counseling and Career Development Professional.
The Association for Career and Technical Education presents the award to CTE educators at the postsecondary school level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.
Tibbs has served Great Plains’ School of Career Opportunities and Real Education program since 2007. The program is designed to help students who have dropped out of school earn high school diplomas and move forward in their education and careers.
Read more on The Lawton Constitution website.
Mid-Del student makes the most of work-based learning opportunities
Eighteen-year-old Nathaniel Green may have just graduated high school, but welding skills learned at Mid-Del Technology Center already equip him to work part-time at an Oklahoma City area fabricator.
Balancing the rigors of classes at Mid-Del with his job at B&H Industrial, Green has made the welding trade a lifestyle, one he plans to stick with as he continues into an official work-based learning schedule this winter.
See the video on Oklahoma CareerTech’s YouTube page.
High Plains grad finds success behind the wheel
High Plains Technology Center CDL graduate Julio Gomez hit a major obstacle on his way to employment: He wasn’t 21, and most companies wouldn’t insure a driver under 21 years old.
He had a commercial driver’s license and could drive within the state under federal law, but many insurance companies won’t cover drivers between the ages of 18 and 21. Fortunately for Gomez, Woodward Steel took a chance on him, a chance that paid off, especially now that he’s reached 21 and can drive anywhere.
“Julio is a hard worker and a valuable member of our team,” said Shane Waggoner, Woodward Steel management. “He’s dependable, always willing to lend a hand, and has a great attitude.”
Gomez started with High Plains in high school in the service careers program, which helped him discover strengths and prepare for CDL training, which the tech center offers in partnership with Central Technology Center.
Read more about Gomez and the program on the High Plains website.
Guthrie partners with Meridian Tech on police, fire training facility
Meridian Technology Center and the city of Guthrie are planning a multipurpose training facility to enhance law enforcement and emergency preparedness in the city.
The facility will be built on Meridian’s South Campus in Guthrie and will be used by both the tech center and the city for training, emergency preparedness and other activities. Meridian will design, develop and build the facility, and both entities will contribute up to $1.5 million toward the construction cost.
Read more on the Guthrie News Page website.
Tulsa Tech works with American Airlines on aviation maintenance tech pipeline
Tulsa Technology Center and American Airlines are working together to develop a pipeline of aviation maintenance technicians.
Students in Tulsa Tech’s aviation maintenance technology program now have access to more than 3,000 new industry mentors through a new partnership. They will have access to AA’s aviation maintenance techs in Tulsa through opportunities at the maintenance base and on campus.
Also, top students will have guaranteed interviews for open positions with American Airlines.
Read more on the American Airlines website.
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State Agency Assistance at a Glance
National Research Center for Career and Technical Education
OK Career Guide Training Opportunities
Every soldier must know, before he goes into battle, how the little battle he is to fight fits into the larger picture, and how the success of his fighting will influence the battle as a whole. -- Bernard Law Montgomery
