OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) — Industry leaders from across Oklahoma gathered Wednesday in Oklahoma City for a Workforce Roundtable hosted by the Engineering and Public Works Roadshow in partnership with the Oklahoma Workforce Commission. The event focused on one shared goal: ensuring the state’s engineering and public works industries are prepared to recruit, train, and retain the next generation of professionals.
“This roundtable in Oklahoma allows us to share both the real-world needs of the industry and our ideas to align education with career pathways in these high-demand STEM fields,” said Molly Tuttle, director of workforce development at the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). “What happens locally can inspire progress everywhere.”
Participants discussed the growing challenges facing the sector, from workforce retirements to evolving skill requirements. Eric Taylor of Guernsey emphasized the importance of reimagining how the industry engages with students and upskills professionals.
“By rethinking how we engage students, upskill professionals, and diversify talent pipelines, we’re preparing for a stronger, more resilient industry,” Taylor said.
Michael Graves of Garver added that the conversation marked “an important step” toward attracting and empowering the next generation of engineers.
“Oklahoma’s engineering community is taking bold steps to ensure our firms have the skilled people they need to build what’s next,” Graves said.
Panelists highlighted best practices in mentoring, career development, and recruitment, while emphasizing statewide collaboration to expand access to engineering and public works careers. The discussion also tied into national efforts to strengthen STEM pathways through scholarships, leadership programs, and advocacy for education funding.
Mike Thompson, executive director of ACEC Oklahoma, noted that the roundtable is part of a long-term commitment.
“This is just the beginning of the work we need to accomplish to meet the future demands of Oklahoma’s critically important engineering workforce,” Thompson said. “ACEC looks forward to continued collaboration with partners to develop actionable solutions for the legislature and governor.”
The Oklahoma roundtable coincides with the release of new research from the ACEC Research Institute, titled The Workforce of the Future. Drawing on national data and insights from more than 2,000 engineers, students, and firm leaders, the report provides a comprehensive look at the talent landscape and offers strategies for modernizing workplace culture and strengthening recruitment pipelines.
Michael Graves also a member of the Oklahoma Workforce Commission. The OWC partnering with ACEC to host the event. OWC executive director, Kyla Guyette spoke to the group stressing the importance of the public and private sectors working together to make sure the state has the right engineering workforce moving forward.
The Oklahoma event is one stop on the Engineering and Public Works Roadshow, a nationwide initiative celebrating the role of engineering in everyday life and promoting collaboration on critical infrastructure and workforce issues. With more than 20 stops completed and additional events planned through 2026, the Roadshow continues to spotlight the people and projects shaping America’s future.
