CareerTech director to speak at education conference
Oklahoma CareerTech State Director Brent Haken will participate in a session about work-based learning at the 2026 Oklahoma Education Policy Conference in October.
The conference will be at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 27 at the Omni Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. It is hosted by the Oklahoma Center for Education Policy at the University of Oklahoma.
Haken will be one of five panelists in a session titled “Expanding Work-Based Learning for Oklahoma High Schoolers.”
More information about the conference can be found on the OU website.
Interim study examines aerospace, constructionapprenticeships
An Oklahoma legislator recently presented an interim study about CareerTech partnerships and apprenticeships in aerospace and construction.
Rep. Kevin Norwood, R-Owasso, presented the study Sept. 8 to the House Postsecondary Education Committee.
Oklahoma CareerTech State Director Brent Haken and Apprenticeship Manager Tonja Norwood also spoke. Tonja Norwood explained the differences between U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship programs and CareerTech apprenticeship programs.
Oklahoma CareerTech took the lead on apprenticeships in Oklahoma in 2024.
Read more about the study on the Oklahoma House of Representatives website.
Learn more about apprenticeships in Oklahoma on the CareerTech website.
Francis Tuttle grad creates art through welding
Francis Tuttle Technology Center welding graduate Ian Brockwell is using his skills to create art.
Brockwell recently merged creativity and fabrication to create a chandelier representing a sound wave for a new wing at Hearts for Hearing. Using an audio recording of someone saying “celebration of sound,” Brockwell and his team translated sound frequencies into acrylic discs ranging in diameter from two to six feet, which were then mounted around an aluminum mast, the tech center reported.
Brockwell enrolled at Francis Tuttle in 2021 as an adult student. He now works for Artform, a custom architectural fabrication company based in Oklahoma City. He began as an intern and became a full-time employee soon after graduating from Francis Tuttle.
Read more about Brockwell and his artwork on the Francis Tuttle website.
Green Country Tech forms student leadership team
Green Country Technology Center recently introduced its inaugural student leadership team, the GC Trailblazers.
The student leadership initiative is designed to strengthen student involvement, develop leadership skills and provide students opportunities to represent the tech center throughout the school year.
The students, who represent programs across the campus, will help with campus tours, events, community engagement, program promotion, photography and information gathering.
“This is an opportunity for our students to take an active role in representing Green Country Technology Center and sharing what makes our programs and students special,” said Superintendent Roger King. “We are proud of this inaugural group and look forward to watching them grow as leaders.”
Read more on the GCTC 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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