New poll shows strong business support for CareerTech’s skills-based training
A new statewide poll of Oklahoma business leaders underscores a resounding message: Skills-based training programs like those offered by Oklahoma CareerTech are vital to solving the state’s workforce challenges and attracting new investments to the state.
The Business Leaders Poll, which surveyed 302 Oklahoma business owners and executives, reveals persistent concerns about the availability of skilled workers and the preparation of high school graduates for today’s job market. The poll, a project of the State Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma Business Roundtable and the State Chamber Research Foundation, shines a spotlight on the essential role CareerTech plays in developing a workforce that is trained, credentialed and ready to meet the needs of employers across the state.
According to the poll, which was released last month, 85% of business leaders polled said Oklahoma CareerTech is doing a good job preparing students for workforce success, a sharp increase from 67% in 2024. However, the availability of skilled workers remains low and is the top barrier for businesses wanting to invest and expand in Oklahoma, the poll shows, highlighting a need for CareerTech to grow and serve more Oklahomans.
Read more on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
CareerTech celebrates STEM student accomplishments
CareerTech students gathered at Central Technology Center this spring for a celebration of STEM student organization accomplishments.
The awards ceremony, attended and sponsored by private industry and military leaders and advocates, highlighted statewide growth and participation of students charting their way to in-demand careers related to civil and military aerospace and cybersecurity.
Included were StellarXplorers and CyberPatriot, both Air and Space Forces Association programs, and the Oklahoma Cup, an Oklahoma invitational cybersecurity contest.
Three tech center employees named to Leadership Oklahoma
Three employees from Oklahoma CareerTech technology centers have been named to Leadership Oklahoma Class 38.
Jessie Phillips of Kiamichi Technology Centers, Rachel Snider of Autry Technology Center and Jeremy Zweiacker of Meridian Technology Center are among 48 people from across the state chosen for the class. They will meet monthly and visit communities around the state, including Lawton, McAlester, Sulphur, Enid, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Guymon and Stillwater.
Read more on the Leadership Oklahoma Facebook page.
Tulsa Tech students head to D.C. for neuroscience internship
Two Tulsa Technology Center students have earned neuroscience internships with Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
Christiana Ward and Ava Pruett, students in Tulsa Tech’s nursing transitions program, will head to Washington, D.C., in July for the Georgetown University Advanced Medical Neuroscience Internship. During the experience, they will work with a neuroscientist and conduct research.
Both graduated from high school in the spring and are participating in Tulsa Tech’s bridge program to earn their licensed practical nursing certifications, according to Fox 23 News in Tulsa.
Read more on the Fox 23 News 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
Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday. – Wilma Rudolph
