Seventy-five Oklahoma CareerTech students met at the state Capitol Feb. 27 to speak to legislators about how career and technology education helps teens prepare for careers and college.
“This visit is important because it allows CTSO officers to share their firsthand experiences with career and technology education with our state legislators,” said Brittani Phillips, FCCLA state adviser at Oklahoma CareerTech. “By sharing their stories, these officers can help lawmakers understand the positive impact that CTE has on students’ lives and encourage them to continue supporting CTE programs. CTSO officers represent the future of the skilled workforce. By meeting with legislators, they can help ensure that CTE programs continue to meet the needs of the ever-changing job market.”
State officers from FCCLA and Oklahoma CareerTech’s other six co-curricular student organizations -- Business Professionals of America, DECA, FFA, HOSA, SkillsUSA and Technology Student Association -- attended the CareerTech Student Organization Day at the Capitol, visiting with legislators from their districts. The students were also recognized on the floor of both chambers.
“It is so pivotal to talk with lawmakers and to talk about the things and the policies that are being put in place,” said Brandon Weibel, Oklahoma FCCLA president.
Oklahoma HOSA President Maira Arshad said she wanted to let legislators know that CTSOs really do change students’ lives.
“I don’t think I would be where I am today without CTSOs, and I don’t think I would be as confident as I am today without CTSOs,” she said.
Caleb Horne, Oklahoma FFA president, echoed her thoughts, saying that he welcomed the chance to meet with legislators personally to share his story “so they can see the true impact” of all the CTSOs.
The students also heard from Skye McNiel, Oklahoma Association for Career and Technical Education executive director; Gina Hubbard, CareerTech director of statewide outreach; and Rep. Anthony Moore, chairman of the House Higher Education and CareerTech Committee.
CTSOs give students opportunities for personal growth and scholastic achievement, as well as the chance to develop skills in public speaking, planning and organizing. Members work on various community projects, competitive events and leadership activities and meet other students who share similar interests.
More than 105,000 Oklahoma students are members of one of the seven co-curricular CTSOs: Business Professionals of America; DECA; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; FFA; HOSA; SkillsUSA; and Technology Student Association.
Oklahoma CareerTech: Education that works for you
The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 60 campuses, 397 PK-12 school districts, 16 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 32 adult education and family literacy providers.
The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education and works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all Oklahomans.
