STILLWATER, Okla. (OBV) – Oklahoma CareerTech is not only giving young Oklahomans the career-readiness skills they will need to join the state’s workforce, it’s also giving an enormous boost to the state’s economy.
A report conducted by University of Cincinnati Economics Center researchers shows that CareerTech’s 29 technology centers, 16 Skills Centers and 32 Adult Education and Family Literacy providers contributed $960,013,839 in direct and indirect economic impact and supported 8,654 jobs with $456,203,361 in wages in fiscal year 2023.
“This remarkable figure reflects the transformative power of our workforce training and educational programs, which equip Oklahomans with the skills needed to succeed in high-demand industries,” said CareerTech State Director Brent Haken. “This impact goes beyond numbers — it represents stronger businesses, higher-paying jobs and a more resilient workforce.”
CareerTech also generated $29.3 million in income tax and sales tax revenue in 2023. Wages from the more than 8,600 jobs generated $18.5 million in income tax revenue for the state while spending from those wages yielded $10.9 million in state sales tax revenue.
The 29 technology centers had $518.7 million in economic output across Oklahoma and directly supported 4,745 individuals who received $292 million in wages, according to CareerTech officials.
“By continuing to invest in education and training through CareerTech, we are not only strengthening our state’s economic future but also providing life-changing opportunities for thousands of Oklahomans,” Haken said. “Thank you to everyone involved for your commitment to making CareerTech a key driver of our state’s prosperity.”
The technology centers received $100 million in appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature in fiscal 2023. Every dollar to technology centers resulted in $9.39 in economic output for the state. Also, every dollar in state funding is estimated to produce $10.48 in earnings for secondary and adult technology center students over 10 years, according to the study.
Oklahoma CareerTech and the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education (OkACTE) funded the study.
“This study underscores the vital role CareerTech plays in driving Oklahoma’s economy,” said OkACTE Executive Director Skye McNiel. “As a whole, career and technology education increases the earnings potential for students, generates increased tax revenue for state and local governments and offers programs that yield a positive return on investment.”
The study gave the following breakdown of CareerTech’s overall economic impact:
TECHNOLOGY CENTERS
- Direct and indirect economic impact: $939,383,674
- Number of jobs supported: 8,554
- Wages: $451,517,750
- Income tax revenue: $18,249,941
- Sales tax revenue: $10,772,522
SKILLS CENTERS
- Direct and indirect economic impact: $10,998,683
- Number of jobs supported: 95
- Wages: $4,438,371
- Income tax revenue: $4,431
- Sales tax revenue: $2,312
AEFL PROVIDERS
- Direct and indirect economic impact: $9,631,482
- Number of jobs supported: 5
- Wages: $247,240
- Income tax revenue: $10,830
- Sales tax revenue: $5,694
Oklahoma Career Tech has been working for decades to grow the state’s workforce through vocational education that equips young Oklahomans with the skills they will need to enter the workforce career-ready after high school.
CareerTech has experienced continued growth. Systemwide enrollments rose 6.3 percent to 520,733 in fiscal 2024. CareerTech recently announced a goal to increase systemwide enrollments another 15 percent to a record high of 599,854 in fiscal 2029, according to agency officials.
The agency’s programs had a 94 percent positive placement rate in fiscal 2023, meaning nearly all CareerTech graduates found employment, entered the military or continued their education.
