"The theme of the week-long celebration, Career Tech: The Path to Success, emphasizes the role career tech education and its business/industry partners play in helping youths and adults achieve career success.

Many of the 54 technology center campuses in Oklahoma and many of the nearly 400 school districts that have high school CareerTech programs will use the week to showcase the quality of their students and programs, said Dr. Phil Berkenbile, state CareerTech director.

"We're encouraging our schools and teachers to communicate the message that career and technology education is enormously important to the educational and life success of Oklahoma's students," he said.

"We want the public to see the level of skills students gain in CareerTech programs. Working with people from the business community, we're preparing youths and adults to be productive workers and community leaders."

According to the Association for Career and Technical Education, research shows that many of the country’s fastest-growing occupations require the technical skills taught in career tech education programs. Research also shows that among high school graduates entering the workforce, those with a technical education background earn more than those without this advantage.

For more information contact a CareerTech center nearest you. (see school map)

Related Links

• Map of Technology Centers
• Director's Discussion- A Webcast Dr. Phil Berkenbile answers your questions about the system.
• Oklahoma student designs Careertech Week logo
• Get Career Skills .com Link to Association for Career and Technical Education