Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education: Shaping Futures Through Comprehensive Programs

The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (CareerTech) plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of Oklahoma's workforce by providing leadership, resources, and ensuring standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. Oklahoma’s system is often used as a model for programs across the United States and around the world.

A Comprehensive Statewide System

Oklahoma CareerTech serves students and businesses statewide through a vast network. This includes:

29 technology center districts operating on 63 campuses.
394 PK-12 comprehensive school districts.
20 Skills Centers campuses.
49 Adult Education & Family Literacy providers.

Over 40 percent of Oklahoma Public school students participate in a Career Technology Program.

Leadership and Governance

The department is led by the state director and the CareerTech board. The State Board of Career and Technology Education is the governing body of the department, composed of the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction and eight members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate.

Historical Roots and Evolution

The Oklahoma CareerTech System began with the passing of the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 by President Woodrow Wilson. This act made available federal money for the promotion of vocational education. In 1929, the Division of Vocational Education was established as part of the State Department of Education. The department moved from Oklahoma City to Stillwater in 1932, and in 1941, the state legislature established the position of state director of vocational education. J.B Perky was the first director. In 1966, Oklahoma technology center school districts were formed, and in 1967, Tri County Tech became the state's first area vocational-technical school. On July 1, 1968, the Oklahoma State Board of Vocational and Technical Education was established as a separate entity from the State Department of Education. In the 20th century, career and technology education advanced in both ideology and technology.

Key Programs and Initiatives

CareerTech offers a wide array of programs and initiatives designed to meet the diverse needs of students and businesses across Oklahoma.

APEX Program

Excited to see our APEX program grow! Come check us out.

Oklahoma APEX Accelerator

Are you exploring government contracting opportunities? Join us for a Oklahoma APEX Accelerator Mini Meet & Greet!

Apprenticeships

Through strong partnerships with business and industry, apprenticeships creates meaningful, hands-on experiences that help students apply what they’re learning in real-world settings.

HOSA-Future Health Professionals

Celebrating 50 years of HOSA-Future Health Professionals and Oklahoma being one of the founding states leading up to the State Leadership Conference and then the International Conference has been interesting. This week Oklahoma CareerTech had the privilege of welcoming back Wanda Wolf Potts and Debbie Bennett. The four amazing women pictured came together to record 50 years of Oklahoma HOSA history.

Adult Education & Family Literacy (AEFL)

Thank you to our AEFL team and partners across the state for transforming lives and empowering communities.

TANF Program

The TANF program is a federal initiative focused on helping families meet their basic needs while building a pathway toward long-term self-sufficiency. In Oklahoma, the TANF division at the Oklahoma CareerTech plays a vital role in delivering these services statewide.

CareerTech Skills Centers (CTSC)

What originally began in 1971 as a division that provided a few occupational training programs to adult offenders, CTSC is now a statewide school system that equips adults and youth with employability and technical skills necessary to succeed in the workforce. Additionally, the CTSC partners with the DOC and the Oklahoma Correctional Industries (OCI) to provide incarcerated adult learners with the opportunity to participate in Registered Apprenticeship programs in the areas of meat-cutting, commercial food preparation and cabinet building. To help ensure that each incarcerated learner has access to CTE opportunities and the supports they need to succeed post-release, the CTSC employs the Student Services Team, which consists of Instructors, Employment Coordinators and Transition Coordinators. The Student Services Team Instructors help learners complete a Life Success Plan, in which learners receive career guidance, labor market information and assistance in determining their ability to benefit from specific CTE programs, and help learners enroll in their preferred CTSC program. Employment Coordinators, who are responsible for helping learners with job placement upon release, meet with each learner prior to his or her release to help with resumes, interviewing skills and job search strategies. Employment Coordinators also provide employment workshops and career counseling to learners. Upon discharge, Transition Coordinators help learners secure housing, transportation, clothing and other resources to support learners’ participation in the workforce. Policy in ActionThe mission of CTSC is to prepare Oklahomans to succeed in the workplace, in education and in life. CTSC campuses serve an average of 2,071 learners annually through full time programs and short-term training. The Skills Centers began operations in February 1971. The system began at the Jim E. Hamilton CareerTech Skills Center inside the Jim E. Hamilton (formerly Ouachita) Correctional Center at Hodgen, Oklahoma. Jim E.

Resources and Support for Students

As Oklahoma Department of Career Technology educators we know you are Committed to supporting students and families in their career development process. Several resources are available to help students navigate their career paths:

OK Career Guide

The OK Career Guide is a free online tool used to provide students free career interest assessments, information about career expectations, growing trends in occupations, and information on programs of study available in Oklahoma. On this site you will find free career interest assessments, information about career expectations, growing trends in occupations, and information on programs of study available in Oklahoma. This interactive map can be used to find your local career technology programs separated by career clusters.

Financial Aid

Did you know that students can use Oklahoma’s Promise and FAFSA to pay for career technology programs after high school? Oklahoma’s Promise - Oklahoma’s Promise offers qualified Oklahoma students an opportunity to earn a scholarship for college tuition. FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is the application students fill out in order to determine their financial aid eligibility.

Senior Conferences

Senior Conferences give Oklahoma high schools the opportunity to provide their seniors a taste of adulthood with a full day devoted to the next steps after graduation. Many high schools have partnered with Career Technology Centers in this initiative by ending the day with a program of study exploration fair.

Signing Day Celebrations

Signing Day Celebrations can be a great way to support a students commitment to starting their career and a perfect addition to a students ICAP process!

Cooperative Alliance Program

Transcribed college credit is available for high school and adult students enrolled at CareerTech Centers through the Cooperative Alliance Program for certain technical courses. The Cooperative Alliances potentially save students time and money. The Cooperative Alliances are a partnership of CareerTech and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Branches

The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics has 12 branches on CareerTech campuses with primary focus on the Calculus BC, Physics C and Mechanics AP Exams.

The Impact of CareerTech

Recent Census Bureau survey data indicate that Oklahoma workers who have completed the equivalent of a two-year program with a vocational or occupational emphasis earned 20 percent more than workers with only high school diplomas the past two decades. These income gains can in turn contribute significantly to the overall level of income statewide. In current dollars, the direct benefits are $1.84 billion in future income gains to completers, $138 million in added tax revenue to state and local government, and direct in-state spending of $185 million for the delivery of the career major instructional programs statewide.

Preparing for the Future

By 2025, 77 percent of Oklahoma jobs will require more than a high school diploma. Oklahoma is proud to offer several ways your students can begin preparing for high demand jobs as early as high school. To view opportunities in your area take a look at the resources! Experiences like this go beyond the textbook. We’re grateful to our local partners for investing time in the next generation of public safety professionals. Training like this builds confidence, skill, and the kind of preparation that makes a difference on day one of the job.

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