STILLWATER, Okla. (OBV) – The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, commonly known as Oklahoma CareerTech, is seeking a $41.75 funding increase to expand career training programs and help meet the employment demands of Oklahoma businesses and industries.
CareerTech State Director Brent Haken submitted his fiscal year 2025 budget request to members of the Oklahoma Senate and House of Representatives, asking for $201,956,568, a 26 percent increase compared to the FY 2024 appropriation.
The funding increase would eliminate a 7,500-student waiting list for CareerTech’s technology centers within three years, according to Haken.
“If we’re wanting to improve workforce development, lure new businesses to the state and retain existing businesses, we’re going to have to make a serious investment in workforce education,” Haken said. “Local ad valorem dollars can only go so far. We need to make a major investment in our students in the name of career and college readiness.”
The requested budget calls for an addition $37 million in workforce training. That amount breaks down as follows:
- $10.5 million for health careers
- $8.1 million for construction trades
- $7.6 million for manufacturing
- $10.8 million to add 37 new career programs in agriculture, arts, information technology, management and administration, public safety, hospitality and tourism, audio/video technology and communication, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
CareerTech’s network includes 29 technology centers, 397 PK-12 school districts, 16 skills centers sites and 32 adult education and family literacy providers. Its total enrollment for FY 2023 was 489,635, a 9.5 percent increase from FY 2022.
Ninety-four percent of CareerTech graduates either found employment, entered the military or continued their education in 2022.
Over 42 percent of Oklahoma ninth through 12th graders participated in a CareerTech program in 2023.
Haken said additional funds will enable CareerTech to expand throughout Oklahoma and produce more skilled workers to fill needed jobs.
“All of these occupations are in high demand,” he said. “They offer Oklahomans an opportunity to explore their passion, make a good living and enjoy life in Oklahoma.”
