Oklahoma CareerTech students and professionals will gather at the state Capitol on April 28 to share with legislators and other state officials the good news of CareerTech and the difference it makes in Oklahoma.
CareerTech is a national leader in workforce education, showing what people can do when education is aligned with workforce needs, said Brent Haken, Oklahoma CareerTech state director.
“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, and we want to continue to grow and help more Oklahoma individuals and businesses,” Haken said. “To achieve our goals of increasing career readiness in Oklahoma and growing the state’s economy, we need a serious investment in workforce education.”
Booths and displays will be set up on the second floor of the Capitol in the Supreme Court hallway, and other displays, including bucket trucks provided by Meridian and Pontotoc technology centers, will be outside the building.
CareerTech students will present demonstrations and projects and talk with policymakers during the event, and CareerTech award winners will be recognized in both the House and the Senate chambers.
Representatives of CareerTech’s delivery arms -- technology centers, K-12 schools, the Skills Centers School System in Oklahoma correctional facilities and adult education and family literacy -- will be at the Capitol, along with professionals and students from every division and the respective CareerTech student organizations.
They will be sharing CareerTech successes, including the increase in K-12 enrollments of more than 151,000 in fiscal year 2025, a goal set for 2028 but achieved two years early; a new Skills Centers facility at Northern Oklahoma Community Corrections Center in Vinita and plans for a new facility at J.H. Lilley Correctional Center in Boley; the new Oklahoma Career Readiness Diploma; growth in apprenticeships, for which CareerTech has taken the lead in Oklahoma; and a record high membership in CareerTech student organizations for the fourth consecutive year.
In FY25, Oklahoma CareerTech recorded systemwide enrollment of 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 122,929, with 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 strengthen their workforce and contribute to the state’s economic growth.
“CareerTech works every day with business and industry, opening doors of opportunity for students of all ages and strengthening Oklahoma’s economy,” Haken said.
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.
