The State Board of CareerTech Education heard reports on enrollment growth and interim legislative work during its meeting, where agency and association leaders urged lawmakers to fund capacity and apprenticeship expansion.

Director of the Oklahoma CareerTech system Russell Ray told the board the system now serves more than a half million students annually and that K–12 enrollments in CareerTech programs reached 151,774, meeting a goal two years ahead of schedule. "We serve over a half a million students each year," Ray said, and noted continued growth in industry certifications and business partnerships.

Skye McNeal, executive director of the CareerTech professional association, said CareerTech has been heavily involved in interim studies this fall focused on workforce development. "This is probably the most interim studies that CareerTech has asked to be a part of, and I think that is showing the work that we're doing," McNeal said. She listed nursing workforce discussions, ad valorem funding concerns for tech centers and a push to reduce the program wait list as priorities being discussed with legislators.

McNeal said the association is pushing for more apprenticeship development and argued CareerTech should be a lead partner: "We understand them. We should own them. Not solely. We should partner with other entities, but we are the go to," she said. She also told the board legislators are now asking more detailed questions about how CareerTech fills business and industry hiring needs.

Board members and agency leaders discussed that expansion will require dollars for physical space and equipment as well as additional program capacity. Director Hagan noted the agency’s FY-26 appropriations request reflects those needs and will be used to lobby the Legislature, while stressing the agency is coordinating messaging with the CareerTech association.

The board also heard anecdotal testimony on student outcomes. McNeal described a former welding student whose experience in CareerTech programs led to both employment skills and renewed interest in higher education. "She was so proud of herself...there's no stopping that kid," McNeal said.

The board did not take new legislative action at this item but discussed how the agency and association will continue interim outreach and advocacy ahead of the session.