Western Technology Center-Weatherford recently hosted a special CareerTech Legislator Information Forum for freshman legislators representing and serving Western Oklahoma.
Rep. Anthony Moore on campus Dr. Doug Majors, Meridian Technology Center Superintendent and Forum Presenter, Skye McNiel, Executive Director for Oklahoma Association for Career and Technical Education (OkACTE), Dr. Gayla Lutts, Canadian Valley Technology Center Superintendent (Zoomed), Penny Berry, WTC Assistant Superintendent and Kathe Corning, WTC Superintendent attended.
The purpose for the special legislator forums being scheduled across Oklahoma is to provide information about the CareerTech system and its multiple delivery arms serving Oklahoma to new legislators.
Highlights from the forum included: CareerTech serves more than half a million enrollments statewide each year including high school students, adults, business industry clients and inmates. CareerTech has a standalone State Agency and Board which allows the training flexibility to meet the changing needs of Oklahoma’s workforce.
CareerTech delivery arms include: 13 Skill Centers (inmates), 32 Adult Education (ABE/GED) hosts, 29 Technology Centers (WTC is one of the 29 centers), 399 Comprehensive Schools (K-12, Ag and Family and Consumer Science classes) and Business and Industry.
Funding for CareerTech in Oklahoma is a partnership between state and local communities. CareerTech graduates employed, continuing their education or in the military for FY19 totaled a 94 percent placement rate for the state. WTC’s graduate placement rate was 95 percent in FY19.
Kathe Corning, WTC Superintendent, then shared specific information about Western Technology Center’s footprint in Western Oklahoma with five campuses and partnering with 14 school districts.
Rep. Moore then toured the Joe Phillips Dental Building viewing the Dental Hygiene Clinic (clinical site for the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry Dental Hygiene Division) and WTC’s Dental Assisting Program. Western Technology Center is committed to “educating people for success.”