Oklahoma CareerTech is taking the lead in how Oklahoma makes apprenticeships work for both employers and employees. CareerTech’s unique position in the state’s education landscape, its existing structure and its proven history in workforce development make CareerTech the best place to promote and grow apprenticeships in Oklahoma, said CareerTech State Director Brent Haken.
This leadership will include the implementation of U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeships in Oklahoma and also Oklahomacertified apprenticeship models that tie to other rigorous and focused work-based learning opportunities hosted by Oklahoma CareerTech.
“Apprenticeships are a highly effective way to connect education and careers, which is what makes Oklahoma CareerTech the ideal agency to take point on apprenticeship programs. The task is what the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education has done since its inception,” Haken said.
The focus will be on apprenticeships nationally November 17-23 as entities across the country celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, a project of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship. Across the United States, employers, organizations and educational institutions will host events to showcase registered apprenticeships.
A Labor Department-registered apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high quality career pathway through which employers can develop and prepare their future work forces and individuals can gain paid work experience, progressive wage increases, and classroom instruction, along with portable, nationally recognized credentials.
Oklahoma CareerTech certified apprenticeships are a new state-level program of apprenticeships; they are usually shorter and more flexible than the registered apprenticeships to fit employer needs.
“Employers are typically looking for four things when they are hiring: a candidate with the right education, the right skills, and adequate experience, who fits well in the organization,” said H.L. Baird, statewide work-based learning liaison at Oklahoma CareerTech. “High quality apprenticeships develop all four in a partnership among the apprentice, the education provider and the employer.”
CareerTech has a long history of partnering with employers to create work-based learning opportunities for Oklahoma students. The system’s work-based learning includes a variety of experiences that involve employers and students interacting through classroom visits, job shadows, internships and apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships are considered the pinnacle of work-based learning experiences because they directly connect students’ education with paid positions that are often the beginning of students’ careers, Baird said.
According to Department of Labor data, 90% of students who complete registered apprenticeships keep their employment when the terms of their apprenticeships are completed — and they earn higher than average wages.
Apprenticeships allow workers to earn while they learn. They allow workers to attain knowledge and develop skills while continuing to provide for themselves and their families.
They also provide a reference of qualifications for individuals in business and industry, a way to prove their knowledge and skills.
CareerTech’s 29 technology centers, 16 skills centers sites and its programs in almost 400 PK-12 school districts already have a network of employers with whom they work, and ODCTE’s relationships with the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education can create a seamless pathway between secondary and postsecondary education and the world of work, Haken said.
CareerTech staff members will serve as subject matter experts on apprenticeships for all employers even if they do not use CareerTech instructional services or recruit from its programs, and students will be able to enter apprenticeships under the auspices of ODCTE whether or not they enroll in CareerTech programs, Baird said.
Haken and Justin Siler, CareerTech work-based learning liaison, recently talked with CareerTech Conversations about the workforce training pathways the CareerTech system offers. The video can be seen on CareerTech’s YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=3w8B3K5HYCY.
Another Oklahoma CareerTech video demonstrates the benefit of apprenticeships to everyone involved through a relationship between Canadian Valley Technology Center and Mustang-based Security Solutions. That video can been seen on CareerTech’s YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9Owaj-C6v4.
For more information on apprenticeships and how they can benefit companies, email [email protected] or visit okcareer. tech/WBL. Interested companies can also contact Siler by phone at 405-743-5539 or by email at [email protected].
