OKLAHOMA (OBV) – More students are involved with Oklahoma CareerTech than ever before.
Oklahoma CareerTech student organization (CTSO) membership is at an all-time high.
Data gathered by Oklahoma CareerTech earlier this month shows that 97,385 students are members of CareerTech’s seven student organizations.
The breakdown of student organization membership is as follows:
- Business Professionals of America (BPA): 5,997
- Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA): 1,555
- Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA): 17,174
- Future Farmers of America (FFA): 29,240
- Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA): 6,738
- SkillsUSA: 15,544
- Technology Student Association (TSA): 21,137
The National Technical Honor Society’s Oklahoma chapter – which honors excellence in workforce education – reported 3,084 members to date, but some high schools and technology centers have not inducted new members yet.
All seven student organizations are co-curricular, enabling students to learn and develop technical skills beyond the classroom that will serve them in their future careers. The students also learn life-enriching skills such as leadership, public speaking, communication, teamwork, time management and critical thinking, according to Paxton Cavin, BPA and DECA state adviser.
“When students join a CTSO they find a support system in the field they are interested in, opportunities to enhance their leadership skills, connections to industry both in Oklahoma and nationwide and memories to last a lifetime,” Cavin said.
CTSO membership has grown thanks to instructors who recognize the benefits such organizations provide to a student’s education and future success, according to Emily Goff, SkillsUSA state adviser.
Trevor Lucas, FFA state adviser, said CTSOs are essential in developing the skilled workforce of the future, and do so by providing students avenues to explore and excel in their chosen career paths.
“Through hands-on experiences, competitive events and industry collaborations, CTSOs empower students to embrace their passions, harness their potential and ultimately contribute to a thriving, innovative economy,” Lucas said.
All seven CTSOs are affiliated with a CareerTech program, providing specialized education in unique career fields:
- BPA, business, marketing and information technology education
- DECA, marketing education
- FCCLA, family and consumer sciences education
- FFA, agricultural education
- HOSA, health careers education
- SkillsUSA, trade and industrial education
- TSA, science, technology, engineering and mathematics education
“CTSOs provide opportunities for students to improve leadership skills, career awareness, decision-making and occupational skills,” said Brent Haken, Oklahoma CareerTech state director. “These students are learning beyond the classroom and preparing for success in the workplace, in education and in life.”
Click here to learn more about CareerTech student organizations.
