Oct. 3, 2007 -- The Governor's Council for Workforce and Economic Development approved a broad set of goals this week aimed at creating a full pipeline of skilled workers to meet the current and future demands of Oklahoma businesses. 

Dubbed "Grow Oklahoma," the approved initiatives are as follows:

• Growing talent, skills and knowledge;
• Growing and delivering solutions for talent recruitment and retention;
• Growing awareness and success of the effort to align workforce, education and economic development.

Citing a need for greater collaboration among educators and businesses, Gov. Brad Henry described a future that focuses on lifelong learning.

"We need to focus on a seamless educational system and lifelong education," Henry said. "Skills change, technologies change and companies change, and those workers that don't learn new skill sets will fall behind."

Governor's Council chairman and Boeing Co. Executive Steve Hendrickson said the Council's work involved 36 different funding streams, numerous state agencies and involvement from across Oklahoma. The council is composed of business leaders, educators, elected officials and work force and economic development specialists.

"Now is the time for action," said Hendrickson. "A sense of urgency among Council members rang loud and clear this week. It's time for implementation."

While Oklahoma's job growth has fared better than the nation's in recent years, demographic trends point to a future where job growth outpaces population growth. Coupled with baby boomers nearing retirement age, Oklahoma is expected to add 154,000 jobs by 2014. Those jobs will require new sets of skills and talents, the council said.

"This puts Oklahoma at a crossroad," the council's strategy document said. "If we can solve the shortages of workers and the skills dilemma, businesses can continue to locate and expand here, and workers can enjoy increasing prosperity."

Norma Noble, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development, described Grow Oklahoma as a broad umbrella initiative that will involve students, parents, community and business leaders, and educators throughout the state. 

"For us to meet the critical workforce demands that our state is facing, we must change the way we think about career planning," said Noble. "That change means ensuring our learning the necessary skills they need in grade school, middle school and high school.  It means redefining our views of post-secondary success to include career tech programs, community college, and two- and three-year certificate programs. It means engaging in a lifetime of learning that might include several career changes throughout one's life."

The various public and private entities that will be putting teeth into the Governor's Council's goals plan to roll out a number of tools and resources for families, educators, and businesses to facilitate workforce development.

For more information about Grow Oklahoma, download the brochure below.  Or to learn how your school, business or organization can get involved, contact the Oklahoma Department of Commerce Workforce Solutions team at 405-815-5256.  You are also invited to subscribe to the Grow Oklahoma e-newsletter to stay abreast of the progress of the implementation team.

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Governor's Council for Workforce and Economic Development