Central Technology Center, part of the Oklahoma CareerTech system, works toward closing the skills gap.

Each program and service area at Central Tech gains leadership and cooperation from the private sector through advisory committees comprised of business and industry partners, former students, parents, and agencies who guide program direction.

Committee recommendations provide an effective means in aligning and teaching relevant curriculum using today’s technology and equipment, along with the employability skills needed for success and ensuring a productive workforce for Oklahoma’s economy.

In addition to current programs, Central Tech Advisory Committees help determine future high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand jobs for tomorrow’s workforce. Central Tech can then establish new courses to meet the upcoming demands of the workforce.

It takes a skilled workforce to bring big ideas to life, and Oklahoma’s economic development projects are no different. CAD drafters, engineering technicians, electromechanical technicians, construction workers, electricians and HVAC technicians are all needed to build a business structure from the ground up.

We are not just designing buildings. Our blueprint generates new infrastructure, creates jobs, expands the economy and powers Oklahoma’s economic engine.

Since Central Tech collaborates with business and industry partners, instruction remains career-focused, aligning the necessary credentials with the high-demand occupations in our district. Curriculum incorporates problem solving, critical thinking, and teamwork into the assignments. Students complete their training by earning industry-recognized certifications/licensure driven by the demands of these high-skill industry sectors.

Central Tech currently maintains 94% placement for students entering the workforce or continuing their education. Of those in the workforce, 88% of working graduates are employed in jobs related to their career major.

The Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development predicts that by 2025, more than half of all new jobs will require advanced credentials through associates/certificate/credential training and less than one quarter of all jobs will require a bachelors’ degree or higher. Central Tech is the economic engine connecting education and training to specific jobs, resulting in the production of a relevant workforce in Oklahoma.

Central Tech is the economic engine connecting education and training to specific jobs, resulting in the production of a relevant workforce in Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — College graduates in Oklahoma, on average, are carrying nearly $26,000 in student loan debt and recent research shows those young employees may be making less money than some high school graduates, who take blue collar jobs.

When the time comes for young students to decide their fate knowing which move to make can feel like a shot in the dark.

For generations, the push to take the college path has become stronger. But should it be?

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For some people, retirement is the time to enjoy the spoils of a lifetime of work.

It’s the time to buy an RV and travel across the country, to take up a new hobby or to re-connect with family.

MonyaMarie Black, a 64-year-old Central Tech Construction Trades student, has something else in mind. Her story began in New York City.

“Before I retired two years ago, I taught low-income women how to build furniture in their apartments.” A little help and a lot of ambition allowed her to start making a difference in her city. “I met one gentleman when I first got to New York; he was an architect,” said Black. “Every once in a while I would ask him a question. Other than that, I was self-taught.”

Nearly 30 years later, Black has been retired for two years. She decided that now is the best time to pursue something bigger. Following a friend’s intuition, she and a group of families headed west and wound up in Oklahoma.“I’ve been working since I was 16, but now I have the opportunity,” she said. “Here we are 20, 30 years later and I have the opportunity to learn to do it right.”

Her first step was enrolling in Central Tech’s Construction Trades class. “It’s been a great experience to learn from professionals, and I like how hands-on it is,” said Black. “We get to spend a lot of time in the class learning about OSHA and using all the equipment.”

After learning the basics, the class spends most of their course term at a construction site, building a house from the ground-up. “It’s been interesting coming to school with high school students; most of these guys are younger than my adult children,” said Black. “They’re very respectful and very helpful, but they also let me do the work even though I may have to waddle to do it because the tool belt weighs more than me!”

Black plans to return next year to finish the two-year program, and she already has plans for when she graduates. “My ultimate goal is to relocate to Jamaica and work with the underserved population there in the country, she said.”

Part of her inspiration came from her pastor, who moved back to her home in Jamaica to use her counseling experience. Black has her own reasons for going to Jamaica.

One of the main projects she plans to start is building houses for prison detention officers. “They do a terrifying job because they don’t have weapons,” said Black. “They go in and are responsible for 110 inmates with sometimes only a radio to call for help. I would like to build something where they could come to Jamaica and enjoy being in the country or being in that natural environment on their salary.”

Even now when Black is in school learning a new trade, her mind is still focused on how to make an impact on her surroundings. “It’ll be about five years before I go to Jamaica,” said Black. “I would love to come up with a program (while I’m here) where we’re not just building one house, but actually having many construction projects around the community. There are a lot of houses that can be fixed up here.”

Behind all of her ambition are inspiring, selfless core values that would benefit anyone looking for more out of life. “I want to be firm, fair and consistent,” she said. “It’s always about communication and accuracy, because I think that’s sorely missing, and a good sense of humor; I’ve got to be able to laugh at myself.”

INDUSTRY PARTNERS GIVEN TOP AWARDS FROM CAREERTECH

Thousands of workers trained and employed through CareerTech partnerships with industry.

DRUMRIGHT OK – (April 8) The Oklahoma Association for Technology Centers recognized top industry partners for training and employing thousands of Oklahoma workers through CareerTech technology center programs last Wednesday at the annual Partners in Progress awards ceremony.

Central Technology Center selected Kenworth for their commitment to advancing career technical education through utilization of Central Tech’s programs, and through exemplary commitments to workforce excellence and education in the community.

State secretary for commerce, Sean Kouplen, who was on hand to congratulate award recipients said, “Partners in Progress represents a powerful alliance between CareerTech and employers to train Oklahomans and put them to work in quality jobs. Last year alone, almost 7,000 organizations took advantage of CareerTech training resulting in more than 350,000 enrollments statewide. That is a powerful step toward building a top ten state with skilled workers.”

Assistant superintendent for Central Tech, Kent Burris, said, “MHC Kenworth in Tulsa has been a tremendous asset to Central Tech as they have awarded sponsorships and jobs to many of our diesel students, in addition to, serving on our advisory board for diesel technology.”

Central Tech congratulates Kenworth and thanks them for elevating our students’ futures one job and one graduate at a time.

Pictured from L to R: Representative Ty Burns, Kent Burris, Ryan Wallace, Dennis Adamson, Earl Elliott, Senator Tom Dugger, Skye McNeil.