10.10.24 – Hoodline – By Jordan Myers
The economic footprint of Oklahoma’s CareerTech system has approached a robust $1 billion mark, according to a new analysis. The 29 technology centers, along with 16 Skills Centers and numerous Adult Education and Family Literacy providers, contributed $960 million to the state’s economy in fiscal 2023, as reported in a press release from the Oklahoma government.
More than just a monetary boon, these institutions have supported nearly 8,700 jobs, funneling over $456 million in wages back into the labor force. CareerTech State Director Brent Haken explained, “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,” as mentioned in the Oklahoma government press release. These numbers depict more than a fiscal landscape; they reveal a robust network of businesses, vibrant jobs, and a strengthened workforce.
A cut from these contributions lined state coffers as well. The CareerTech programs accounted for some $29.3 million in state income and sales tax revenue. To put it into perspective, this includes approximately $18.5 million harvested from income taxes and sales tax revenues nearing $10.9 million stemming from wage expenditures—a significant uptick that was born out of the institutions’ economic activities. All of this, as per the findings of the University of Cincinnati Economics Center study.
Oklahoma’s lawmakers demonstrated their support for the initiative through a $100 million appropriation to the technology centers in the same fiscal period. It has proven to be a fruitful investment, as the numbers indicate: every dollar invested in technology centers generated $9.39 in economic output for the state. Moreover, each dollar in state funding is expected to produce $10.48 in earnings for students—whether secondary or adult—over a span of ten years, according to OkACTE Executive Director Skye McNiel, who endorsed this positive return.
“This study underscores the vital role CareerTech plays in driving Oklahoma’s economy,” McNiel stated in the same press release. The outlook is clear—CareerTech is not just sharpening pencils and minds; it’s carving a deeper economic path for Oklahoma, preparing its citizens for tangible, long-term benefits.