CareerTech Graduate Back in Workforce - Contributes to Local Economy

By Susan Biddy
Caddo Kiowa Technology Center

Barely out of a wheelchair that had kept her laid up for quite some time, Donna Sadongei enrolled at Caddo Kiowa Technology Center.

“It was a challenge,” Sadongei admitted. “I was still using a walker when I decided to go back to school.”

Unsure of what the future held and going back to school at the age of 54 was overwhelming to say the least. But Donna found encouragement from the teachers and from the other students at Caddo Kiowa Technology Center.

“Mrs. Oswald was truly a mentor to me,” stated Sadongei. “She was not only my teacher; she became my friend.”

Donna Sadongei completed her training in August 2006. While a student at CKTC, she set the standard high for other students by placing in local, district and state competitions. She passed the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) National Certification Examination, served as an officer for BPA (Business Professional Leaders of America), and started working at the Anadarko Hospital while completing her training. Sandongei now works full-time as an emergency room clerk at the hospital, earning higher than average wages. Consequently, a February 2006 study, completed by economist Mark Snead, examined the impact of CareerTech's full-time programs by estimating lifetime income gains. The study revealed that students who complete full-time programs in technology centers can not only expect to earn significantly more than those with no education beyond high school, but can also contribute more than $2 billion of additional income earned.

Moreover, the study reported that Caddo Kiowa Technology Center students earn the third highest average hourly wage among CareerTech graduates in the state. Additionally, the report concluded that each CKTC graduates’ lifetime income gains from their training are an estimated $129,272 per graduate.

“It is important to measure the economic impact of CareerTech education and training because of the public’s investment and the role of technical education in fulfilling the state’s economic development mission,” said Phil Berkenbile, state director of CareerTech.

The study revealed that those completing full-time programs earn an estimated hourly wage of $10.47, or about 12 percent more than those of similar age with no education beyond high school. Hourly wage rates of $12.46 are significantly higher for adults, average age of 30 years, who complete full-time programs at technology centers than those completing high school, average age of 18 years, who earn $7.58.

According to the study, income gains will produce sizeable yearly economic ripple effects and support an estimated $990 million in future earnings for other workers, or a total income gain of more than $2 billion as a result of training.

Some of the other benefits of training include faster entry into the labor force for young workers and an increase in the likelihood of becoming a professional or manager. Vocationally trained workers also experience lower rates of unemployment than workers with only a high school diploma.

“Of course I am a supporter of career and technology education,” stated Jerry Martin, CKTC superintendent. “But after seeing this report I am even more convinced that career and technology education is a sound investment for our district and for our state.”

Caddo Kiowa Technology Center’s campus is located in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma.  Additional information about programs and services at CKTC is available at www.caddokiowa.com