Oklahoma CareerTech is celebrating Career and Technical Education Appreciation Month in February by showcasing its leadership in connecting Oklahomans and business and industry through education and training.
Gov. Kevin Stitt recently issued a proclamation declaring February to be Career and Technical Education Appreciation Month in Oklahoma.
“Oklahoma CareerTech is transforming lives and powering our state's economy by equipping students with real-world skills from K-12 through apprenticeships and beyond. I'm proud to proclaim February as Career and Technical Education Appreciation Month, celebrating the record-breaking enrollments, new facilities and 94% placement rate that make Oklahoma a national leader in workforce development,” Stitt said.
CTE Month provides an opportunity to reflect on Oklahoma CareerTech’s leadership in changing the lives of individuals through education and workforce development and in providing skilled employees for Oklahoma business and industry, said CareerTech State Director Brent Haken.
“CareerTech is a national leader in showing what people can do when education is aligned with real workforce needs,” he said. “Every day, we work hand in hand with business and industry, we open doors of opportunity for students of all ages, and we strengthen Oklahoma’s economy and communities.
“During Career and Technical Education Appreciation Month, it’s especially meaningful to celebrate the impact of CareerTech and the success stories happening in classrooms, labs and workplaces across our state. It is a great joy of mine to share the good news of CareerTech and the difference it makes for Oklahoma.”
Oklahoma CareerTech shared plenty of good news last year, including reaching a five-year goal two years early. When Haken became state director in January 2023, he set a goal to increase K-12 enrollments from 138,000 to 150,000 by 2028. In fiscal year 2025, more than 151,000 Oklahoma middle, junior high and high school students participated in CareerTech programs.
The increase, including an 84% rise in fifth graders participating in CareerTech programs, was the result of an increase in funding in FY24 that allowed CareerTech to add 280 new career readiness programs in K-12 schools, giving students earlier career exposure and training, Haken said.
Oklahoma CareerTech’s Skills Centers School System also recently opened a new facility at Northern Oklahoma Community Corrections Center in Vinita. The NOCCC skills center opened in 2022, but without a dedicated facility, classes were held in the maintenance and warehouse areas of the correctional center. Classes in career readiness, welding/fabrication and transportation, distribution and logistics have now been moved into the new facility.
The Skills Centers School System specializes in delivering career and technology education to inmates under the supervision of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and to juveniles under the supervision of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs. In FY25, the system had 1,286 graduates.
CareerTech has also taken the lead for apprenticeships in Oklahoma, serving as the state’s hub for U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeships, along with Oklahoma certified apprenticeship models that tie to other rigorous and focused work-based learning opportunities hosted by CareerTech.
“Apprenticeships connect education and careers, people and industry, and that’s what Oklahoma CareerTech is about,” Haken said.
Oklahoma CareerTech recorded more than half a million enrollments in FY25. Systemwide enrollment was 517,752. Technology center enrollments -- business and industry training, adult and career development, secondary and postsecondary full-time programs and single-course programs -- were 352,663. Secondary technology center enrollments were 24,662.
CareerTech offered programs in 394 K-12 school districts in FY25. Its 29 technology center districts had 63 campuses. The 63rd campus was added in May when Gordon Cooper Technology Center added a fifth instructor to its aviation maintenance technology program.
Enrollment in adult education and family literacy was 11,089, with 49 providers offering AEFL programs at 125 sites.
CareerTech program completers have a positive placement -- finding jobs, continuing education or entering the military -- of 94%.
CareerTech student organization membership reached a record high for the fourth consecutive year, with 122,929 members in Business Professionals of America; DECA; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; FFA; HOSA; SkillsUSA; and Technology Student Association.
Oklahoma CareerTech also served 10,604 businesses in FY25, helping them to increase their profitability and contribute to the state’s economic growth.
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 63 campuses, 394 PK-12 school districts, 20 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 49 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.
