Director discusses workforce infrastructure on podcast
Oklahoma CareerTech State Director Brent Haken dives into what makes the Oklahoma CareerTech system one of the most respected in the nation on Episode 80 of the Global CTE Podcast.
In the conversation with host Sylvester Chisom, Haken shares how Oklahoma has built a model by treating CareerTech as workforce infrastructure, not a side program.
The episode highlights what’s possible when education, industry and economic strategy are intentionally aligned and how that approach is driving workforce readiness and economic mobility across Oklahoma and beyond.
Watch the podcast on the Global CTE Podcast website.
Teach 2 Lead cohort wraps up training
Oklahoma CareerTech teachers participating in the 2025-26 Teach 2 Lead program recently wrapped up their year at the state agency in Stillwater.
The professional development program is designed for instructors moving from industry into the classroom. They have met monthly since July.
Carrie Miller, Oklahoma CareerTech leadership and professional development coordinator, talks about the program in this video on CareerTech’s YouTube channel.
Meridian Tech plans industrial training facility
Meridian Technology Center has plans to build an industrial training facility in Stillwater’s northeast industrial zone.
The tech center bought the land in October for that purpose, said Doug Major, superintendent and CEO.
“The growth that we’re seeing out in that area – in terms of the industrial growth, in terms of the safety that we’re doing with Manhattan Construction – we identified that we would likely need a space in the near future there,” he told the Stillwater News Press.
Read more on the Stillwater News Press website.
Tri County Tech receives STEM grant
Tri County Technology Center has received a $2,500 STEM grant from Sparklight through the company’s Dream Bigger social media campaign that supports innovative science, technology, engineering and math education opportunities for K-12 students.
The tech center will use the money to buy a 3D printer and filament to enhance hands-on biomedical design, prototyping and innovation in its medicine and biosciences program.
“Tri County Tech is thrilled to receive a Sparklight Dream Bigger grant. This investment directly supports our mission to provide biomedical students with high-level, hands-on learning opportunities and the tools they need to become the next generation of healthcare innovators,” said Tammie Strobel, superintendent and CEO.
Read more on the Tri County Tech website.
Useful links
Follow us on X at @okcareertech and find us on Facebook at Oklahoma CareerTech and on Instagram at oklahomacareertech. Watch CareerTech 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
Your life is yours and yours alone. Rise up and live it. -- Terry Goodkind
