Business and Industry Rallies Support For
CareerTech At State Capitol

Business and industry leaders from across the state met at the state capitol on Tuesday, March 9th as part of CareerTech Business and Industry day.

The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of CareerTech’s role of economic development in the state of Oklahoma.

“This is a great opportunity to showcase to the legislators the impact the CareerTech system has in the retention of business, job creation, and economic development in Oklahoma,” Phil Berkenbile, State Director for the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education said.

Oklahoma Technology Centers served 170,000 individuals through business and industry services in fiscal year 2003. Those individuals make up a total of 5300 businesses served. In a 2003 survey of those businesses served, 99% say they would use the services again.

In 2003, a national business magazine, Expansion Management, ranks Oklahoma’s CareerTech system fourth nationally in work force training and development. This marks the third year in a row that Expansion Management had compiled a national listing of work force training programs and Oklahoma has been included in the top ten all three years.

“We consistently are told by businesses and consultants that our training program is one of the best in the country compared to other states,” said Secretary of Commerce and Tourism Kathy Taylor.

posted 3/15/04