Oklahoma CareerTech students advocate for career and technology education at state Capitol
Oklahoma CareerTech students gathered at the state Capitol on Feb. 25 to demonstrate to policymakers how their support for career and technology education helps students prepare for their futures, regardless of the paths they choose.
State officers from Oklahoma CareerTech’s seven co-curricular student organizations -- Business Professionals of America; DECA; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; FFA; HOSA; SkillsUSA; and Technology Student Association -- attended the CareerTech Student Organization Day at the Capitol, visiting with senators and representatives from their districts. The students were also recognized on the floor of both chambers.
Read more on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
Director: Salary data highlights need for investments in workforce
Oklahoma CareerTech recently supplied the Tulsa World with state agency and technology center salary data that shows the challenge the CareerTech system faces in keeping salaries competitive.
The data shows a 3.3% increase in average base salaries across the system, but only a 0.8% increase at the state agency.
In a statement, State Director Brent Haken said the 3.3% increase “is not enough to keep pace with inflation or competitive labor department demands.”
The marginal increase at the state agency, he said, is encouraging, but “disparities between institutions and the overall pace of increases highlight the urgent need for stronger investments in our workforce.
“To maintain and enhance Oklahoma CareerTech’s ability to serve students, businesses, and communities, we must prioritize competitive salaries to attract and retain top talent. CareerTech professionals play a crucial role in preparing the next generation of skilled workers, and we must ensure their compensation reflects the value they bring to our state’s economy.”
Read more on the Tulsa World website.
Oklahoma CareerTech students win Aspirations in Computing awards
One Oklahoma CareerTech student received an Aspirations in Computing Honorable Mention from the National Center for Women & Information Technology; she also received an Oklahoma AiC award, along with five other CareerTech students.
They will be honored at a ceremony in April at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City.
Yasmina Bruton, who is involved with the robotics team at Tri County Technology Center, received an Oklahoma AiC award and also the National Honorable Mention designation. Bruton, previously a student at Tri County Tech, received the NCWIT AiC award last year also.
Another member of the Tri County Tech robotics team, Colbie Woods, received the Oklahoma AIC Rising Star Award. Woods is a biosciences/medical student at Tri County Tech.
Reagan Liles, Metro Technology Centers student, also received an Oklahoma AiC award.
Oklahoma AiC honorable mention awards went to Nour Soulane, Metro Tech, and Ruby Miller and Sage Miller, both Technology Student Association members in Atoka.
Read more on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
Video series visits Southwest Tech
Episode 15 of Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell’s “A Look at Oklahoma CareerTech” focuses on Southwest Technology Center.
Jason Parker, an instructor and graduate of the tech center’s aircraft mechanic program, talks about how Southwest Tech prepared him for a high-paying job that played to his strengths after he left the military.
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
It’s better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret. -- Jackie Joyner-Kersee
