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CareerTech outlines growth goals, advertising push and waiting-list pressures
Summary
Agency leaders described increased enrollment, a planned media push, program expansion and a persistent waiting list as the board reviewed agency goals and student demand.
CareerTech leaders told the State Board that the system is expanding enrollment and outreach while continuing to face a multi-thousand-student waiting list for programs.
During a management report, the director noted the agency had secured a last-minute advertising opportunity on KOCO during an Oklahoma City Thunder game and said the move was intended to raise public awareness of CareerTech programs. “So you will see an Oklahoma CareerTech ad on KOCO if you watch the Thunder game tonight,” the director said.
Enrollment and polling: The director told the board the agency is approaching 10,000 followers on social media and cited a business poll reporting an 85% approval rating for Oklahoma CareerTech among surveyed businesses. Staff said enrollment has increased roughly 16.5% over two years.
Waiting list dynamics: Agency staff described a persistent waiting list that peaked near 7,500 students. Staff said adding sections or campuses in some programs (for example, aviation and practical nursing) reduced waiting lists locally but also drew more applicants, leaving the statewide waiting list high. A staff member said, “We were able to grow by about 3,000 students to the waiting list that we had that was a 7,500…by spring, I think we were back over 7,500.”
Program expansion and access: Staff reported 29 new programs were set to be funded this year (not net growth from added money but approvals for programs to receive existing program assistance). Staff explained CareerTech serves K–12 programs and technology centers and said the system reaches roughly 30–45% of students in some grades: “We're in about 45% now of high school students are in a program that we offer,” a staff presenter said. The agency emphasized it does not serve truly private schools but does work with charter (public) schools.
Why it matters: The agency framed advertising and outreach as tools to increase awareness and drive enrollment into CareerTech programs, while cautioning that teacher shortages and program costs (equipment, supplies) limit how quickly new seats can be added.
Follow-up: Board members asked staff for breakout data by program area for waiting-list counts and for short “sound bites” and bulleted talking points to share with legislators about system growth and placement rates.
