TULSA, Okla. (OBV) – A top skilled trade schools operator is partnering with a Tulsa jobs agency to address Oklahoma’s increasing demand for skilled tradespeople by offering welding school scholarships.
The partnership between StrataTech Education Group and Tulsa Job Corps Center (TJCC) enables TJCC students who have an OKJobMatch account to apply for tuition assistance scholarships for career technical training programs at Tulsa Welding School (TWS).
“Like most of the country, Oklahoma is facing an increasing demand for skilled laborers,” said Mary Kelly, president and CEO of StrataTech. “Our partnership with Tulsa Job Corps Center is critical as it allows us to train more Oklahomans in the skilled trades and build a stronger workforce for the state.”
Skilled laborers are in demand across the nation.
A StrataTech news release states that around 360,000 new welding professionals will be needed over the next three years. HVAC technician employment is expected to grow 6 percent between now and 2032. StrataTech scholarships can be combined with other TJCC funding sources to cover the full tuition for TWS programs in welding, electrical and HVAC/refrigeration.
Tulsa Job Corps Center provides academic, career technical, career success skills and career development training to young Tulsans.
Vocational training program enrollment is surging. The number of students enrolled in vocational-focused community colleges increased 16 percent in 2023, rising to its highest level since the National Student Clearinghouse began tracking such data in 2018.
“People should have the option to choose their path when it comes to their career, regardless of barriers,” said Dr. Anton Bizzell, president and CEO of Bizzell US, which operates Tulsa Job Corps Center. “We’re incredibly excited to partner with StrataTech and Tulsa Welding School to further eliminate barriers and give more Oklahoma citizens access to a life-changing education.”
StrataTech will enroll up to 10 students for each cohort. StrataTech and TJCC assist students who are preparing to enter the workforce after they complete the program, helping them search and apply for jobs, write resumes and prepare for interviews.
Visit www.tws.edu to learn more about Tulsa Welding School. Reach out to Jenny Pacheco, senior director of Agency Relations, at jenny.pacheco@stratatech.com for more information on the partnership.
