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If the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program is not reauthorized by Congress by January 1, 2026, the Oklahoma State Workforce Agency will continue to accept WOTC applications submitted in accordance with federal timelines. Applications received during a lapse in authorization will be retained in our system; however, eligibility determinations and certifications cannot be issued until the program is reauthorized. Employers should continue to complete required WOTC forms at the time of hire and submit applications within 28 days of the employee’s start date.

Additional updates will be posted as federal guidance becomes available.

View WOTC Hiatus FAQs.

Nearly $6 Million Federal Training Grant Awarded to Oklahoma

Monday, October 20, 2025

Funding Will Strengthen Workforce Skills in Aerospace, Manufacturing, and AI Infrastructure

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) has been awarded nearly $6 million through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund to expand employer-driven workforce training programs across the state. The grant, part of a national $86 million initiative announced by the Department of Labor, will help Oklahoma strengthen domestic production and address critical workforce needs in high-demand industries.

The initiative will focus on training in aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing, and AI infrastructure and data centers—key sectors driving Oklahoma’s economic future. Through this funding, OESC will collaborate with the Oklahoma Workforce Commission, CareerTech, and higher education partners to develop new training pipelines aligned with employer needs.

OESC will partner with Guild, a workforce education provider, to create a regional training catalog that integrates CareerTech and college programs with Guild’s curated online offerings. Training will prioritize programs with strong completion and employment outcomes, including in-person options such as:

  • CareerTech’s Mechatronics & Automation Production Certificate
  • Oklahoma City Community College’s National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
  • Rose State College’s Tanenbaum Aerospace & Cybersecurity Center

“It feels great winning competitive grants that 43 other states applied for,” said Trae Rahill, CEO of OESC.  “This means funders are confident the grant dollars will go farther here, where we have the best training programs in the country and agencies working together to grow and develop Oklahoma’s economy. This grant will help us horsepower that infrastructure with real employer demand, growing skills in our people and capacity in our companies.”

The Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund is part of the Department of Labor’s broader effort to accelerate innovation and expand access to good jobs in high-growth industries.

More information about the national initiative is available at dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20250930.

Stay tuned — more announcements and updates about this grant will be shared in the near future as details become available.

Last Modified on Oct 20, 2025
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