Oklahoma CareerTech is celebrating Career and Technical Education Appreciation Month by looking back at a year of growth and innovation.
Gov. Kevin Stitt recently issued a proclamation declaring February to be Career and Technical Education Appreciation Month in Oklahoma.
CareerTech State Director Brent Haken said CTE Month is an opportunity to reflect on the critical role CareerTech plays in transforming lives through education and workforce development.
“Career and Technical Education Appreciation Month is a time to celebrate the life-changing opportunities CareerTech provides to students, adults and businesses across Oklahoma,” Haken said. “CTE equips learners with the skills they need to succeed in high-demand careers while driving economic growth in our state. This February, let’s recognize the impact of CTE and the dedicated professionals who make it all possible.”
Oklahoma CareerTech made incredible strides over the last year, including growth in enrollments, expanded training programs and increased funding.
“Our programs are reaching more students and adult learners than ever before, providing them with the skills they need to thrive in high-demand industries,” Haken said. “We’ve launched new and innovative training opportunities, ensuring our offerings remain aligned with the needs of employers and the future workforce. And we’ve secured additional resources to enhance facilities, invest in cutting-edge technology and support our mission to grow Oklahoma’s economy.”
Among other things, Oklahoma CareerTech is taking the lead on apprenticeships in the state. CareerTech received $562,459 from the U.S. Department of Labor to build apprenticeship capacity and expand Labor Department registered apprenticeships in all industries throughout Oklahoma. In addition, the state agency has implemented Oklahoma CareerTech certified apprenticeships.
“Apprenticeships provide students a connection between education and careers, which falls directly under Oklahoma CareerTech’s mission to prepare Oklahomans to succeed in the workplace, in education and in life,” Haken said.
New Oklahoma graduation requirements include increased STEM education and opened more career training opportunities for students. The new requirements emphasize career readiness training and improve workforce development.
CareerTech enrollment has risen in all of its delivery arms for the third consecutive year. Systemwide enrollment was 520,733 in fiscal year 2024, up 6% from fiscal 2023’s 489,635 as CareerTech added more than 240 programs in Oklahoma school districts and increased funding for career readiness training. Technology center enrollments were up 7.6%, and 44.67% of all ninth through 12th grade students in Oklahoma participated in a CareerTech program.
Enrollment in adult education and family literacy grew from 10,081 to 11,015, with 32 providers offering AEFL programs at 122 sites. Oklahoma CareerTech served 9,289 businesses in fiscal 2024, up from 8,764 in fiscal 23, and the Skills Centers School System had 977 program completers.
In addition, membership in Oklahoma CareerTech student organizations -- Business Professionals of America; DECA; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; FFA; HOSA; SkillsUSA; and Technology Student Association -- hit an all-time high as membership reached almost 108,000.
Enrollment isn’t the only way Oklahoma CareerTech is expanding. In August, voters in Konawa Public School District approved annexation into the Pontotoc Technology Center district.
CareerTech plans to continue its growth. In 2024, CareerTech officials announced a goal to increase systemwide enrollments another 15% to a record high of 599,854 in fiscal 2029.
“These goals reflect both the increasing recognition of CareerTech’s value and the essential role it plays in addressing Oklahoma’s workforce needs,” Haken said.
To commemorate Career and Technical Education Appreciation Month, Oklahoma CareerTech will be sharing a wide range of information about its programs and mission throughout February on its social media channels, including Facebook, LinkedIn, X and Instagram.
Oklahoma CareerTech: Oklahoma’s Workforce Leader
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 62 campuses, 395 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.
