August 8, 2008 -- K-12th grade Oklahoma educators recently learned about the career opportunities in the manufacturing industry at OSU Institute of Technology's Advanced Technical Training Center at Pryor's MidAmerica Industrial Park (MAIP).
"All About Manufacturing" was a two-day program provided through a grant from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce under Project MOVES (Manufacturing Oklahoma's Vital Economic Sustainability). Educators toured American Castings LLC and Labinal Inc. to meet with industry leaders and discuss career opportunities in Oklahoma manufacturing industries. By Steve Hendrickson, Chairman of the Governor's Council for Workforce & Economic Development and Director of State and Local Government Relations for Boeing Co.
August 5, 2008 -- Oklahoma's competitive future depends on building an economy that offers high-paying wages -- salaries that lift people out of poverty and help them achieve their American dreams. To do this, we must create not only a skilled workforce, but an inspired one.
As chairman of the Governor's Council for Workforce and Economic Development, I meet often with our state's business owners. Aerospace, construction, manufacturing, financial services -- all of them need creative employees ready to use new technologies, implement fresh ideas and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning. By Steven Hendrickson
Chairman of the Governor's Council for Workforce & Economic Development; Director of State and Local Government Relations for Boeing Company
August 5, 2008 -- There's no bursting bubble in our housing market. We rank among the top ten job producing states. Our unemployment rate is a third below the national average. And our largest city is judged the most recession-proof in the U.S.
So what's driving this resilient Oklahoma economy? Aug. 4, 2008 -- The growth of the wind turbine industry has spawned demand for trained turbine technicians within the industry. Demand for "turbine technicians" or "wind techs" - the technicians who repair the mammoth turbine towers - has grown exponentially.
OSU-OKC President, Dr. Jerry Carroll says utility and energy companies need to find technicians to repair equipment. Carroll says OSU-OKC could soon meet that need as early as this fall.
July 25, 2008 -- The Oklahoma Professional Economic Development Council (OEDC) is hosting a 13 state Summit on Economic and Workforce Development October 27-28, at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.
Registration for the event is now open.
"Crossing the Line: Evolving Regional Strategies – Real Change, Real Challenges, Real Connections" will focus on efforts to help find solutions for workforce needs in the Midwest while recognizing those organizations taking the lead in workforce initiatives. July 14, 2008 -- On the heels of news that oilman T. Boone Pickens and others are backing wind power as an important energy source, Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) is announcing the addition of a one-of-a-kind program to train wind power technicians.
"With additional wind farms being built in west Texas and western Oklahoma, the students in this program will be able to immediately get to work in this important industry," says John Claybon, OCCC Corporate Learning Consultant. June 26, 2008 -- According to the Tulsa World, Workforce Oklahoma will soon be moving into the Eastgate Metroplex, formerly known as Eastland Mall.
Workforce Oklahoma has signed a seven-year lease with Eastgate for about 22,000 square feet of office space, where about 60 people will be employed. The new facility is scheduled to open in September.
Workforce Oklahoma is a training and education development system with 51 offices statewide that partners businesses, educators and employment professionals. June 20, 2008 -- A new law establishing tax credits for engineers going to work for Oklahoma companies as well as the companies that hire them is yet another reason why Oklahoma is a great place to live and do business.
The Aerospace Industry Engineer Work Force Bill was recently signed by Gov. Brad Henry.
May 28, 2008 - Spirit AeroSystems Inc. is launching a new website to recruit qualified job applicants as it ramps up production on a number of aircraft programs.
The website, www.makeitfly.aero, is part of an effort by Spirit to attract top talent.
"We understand we're in competition with all kinds of companies in the areas in which we do business," says Spirit Spokeswoman Debbie Gann in an interview with the Tulsa World. "We want to improve our outreach to potential employees." May 23, 2008 -- A new building under construction at Oklahoma State University (OSU)-Okmulgee will allow the college to double its number of nursing students and faculty members.
The 23,000-square-foot Rural Health Science and Technology building is scheduled to open July 2009.
The new building will also help fill a growing need for more registered nurses statewide, while encouraging them to work in rural areas. | 
