In 2017, GasTech Engineering, LLC, a 32-year-old company, specializing in process engineering, design, and fabrication for the petroleum industry, relocated to Sapulpa, bringing 72 new jobs to the local area. 

After partnering with Central Tech’s BIS division in 2018, GasTech became the driving force behind the development of Central Tech’s 5 a.m., 3G code welding program. 

As GasTech grew, so did their needs for technical and employee training. GasTech has scheduled more than 3,000 contact hours of this training through Central Tech in 2020. Topics include overhead crane rigging and lifting, electronic controls systems, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, structural fabrication, pipefitting, workplace safety, environmental control, and hydraulics systems troubleshooting and repair.

Central Tech assisted GasTech in developing a safety committee, updating the company’s safety manual and documents, providing weekly employee safety meetings, and now provides new employee onboarding training. 

Joe Reeble, GasTech CEO, and Randy Nelson, GasTech COO, provide guidance to Central Tech through a variety of means, which includes serving on the Sapulpa BIS Advisory Committee.

GasTech represents a growing number of companies that realize additional training improves their ability to deliver a better product. “Training is the fastest and best way to meet our objective,” claims Reeble. “We are very fortunate to be located in Oklahoma, which arguably has the best vocational technical system in the nation. The collaboration with Central Tech, the University of Tulsa, and other area knowledge resources has been instrumental in our ability to provide well-paying careers for those who want to make a positive difference. For as they do better, the community does better. There is no more important reason for us to exist as a company.”  

GasTech continues to see dividends from their workforce investment. Despite the Oil and Gas industry’s unpredictable nature, GasTech boasts a 20% growth rate since moving to Sapulpa. They now employ more than 120 employees and have increased their average employee tenure from 3.2 years to 4.7 years. Demographically, nearly half of their tradecraft workforce resides in or around the Sapulpa area.  

Central Tech is proud to honor GasTech Engineering as our 2020 Partner for Progress.

The Oklahoma Career and Technology Education System focuses every day on developing a world-class workforce.

“Oklahoma CareerTech partners with business and educational institutions to enhance career awareness, increase educational attainment and meet the needs of our state,” said Marcie Mack, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education state director. “CareerTech is an integral part of Oklahoma’s economy.

The Oklahoma CareerTech System is celebrating CareerTech Education Month in February. Gov. Kevin Stitt recently issued a proclamation declaring this month as Career and Technical Education Appreciation Month in Oklahoma.

Stitt has called Oklahoma CareerTech “a system that has been nimble and robust in helping us train the workforce.”

The CareerTech System delivers educational experiences through a network of 394 PK-12 school districts, 29 technology center districts, 16 skills center sites in correctional facilities and 32 adult basic education providers. In fiscal year 2019, CareerTech’s enrollments totaled more than 550,000, and CareerTech System graduates added more than $3.5 billion to Oklahoma’s economy.

The 29 technology center districts have 58 campuses that offer career training to high school and adult students, along with training and assistance for Oklahoma’s businesses and industries.

High school students can attend the technology centers in their districts for free, learning skills that will help them land good jobs after school and also position them to continue their education after graduation. Certifications earned through CareerTech courses give students entrance into higher-paying careers, which can also help them pursue higher education without incurring excessive debt.

Adult students at technology centers can learn new skills and earn certificates and credentials to get jobs, change careers or advance in their current careers. In FY18, CareerTech students earned 19,566 industry-endorsed certificates, showing that they have the skills Oklahoma’s industries need.

In Oklahoma’s comprehensive school districts, 35 percent of sixth through 12th grade students — and almost half of ninth through 12th grade students — enrolled in CareerTech courses…

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Central Tech finishes 12^th and 35^th in The CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Education Program semifinals. The 12^th place team, known as 3-Dmes, advances to the national competition in Washington D.C. on March 19-23, 2020, where they will compete for the title of National Champion, for scholarships, and for other national recognition. To qualify for nationals’ teams must place in the top twelve in the nation.

This year’s team includes front row (L-R): Dylan Bishop of Cleveland, Destinee Myrter of Mannford, Derrek Wofford of Mannford. Back row: Matthew Volkman of Hominy, Eli Calderon of Cushing, and Matthew Johnson of Hominy.  

“The CyberPatriot contest is a great opportunity for our students to demonstrate the cyber security knowledge they have learned, and to compare themselves with their peers from around the world,” said Dustin Ford, Central Tech Network Security & Administration instructor.

More than 6,760 teams representing all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and eight other countries competed in a series of online rounds hoping to secure a top spot and a chance for an all-expense-paid trip to the CyberPatriot XII National Finals Competition. Out of 108 Oklahoma teams, Central Tech was the only school from Oklahoma to qualify for nationals.

This is Central Tech’s fourth time to participate in the national competition.

CyberPatriot, established by the Air Force Association, is a purely defensive competition where students learn to secure computers, servers, and networks from cyber-attacks. The students compete globally with other competitors in the same age range. The competition provides a fun means to learn about and practice skills used in industry to protect their digital assets.

“TheNorthrop Grumman Foundation is the presenting sponsor.  AT&T, Boeing, Cisco, Microsoft, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are also heavily involved in the program. These companies not only financially support the contest but offer job and internship opportunities to the contestants,” Ford said.

CyberPatriot is the premier national high school cyber defense competition created by the Air Force Association to inspire high school students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future.

Central Tech congratulates the network security CyberPatriot team on their accomplishments. For more information on the class visit Network Security & Administration.

For the fifth year in a row, Central Tech has been awarded a Top Workplaces honor by The Oklahoman. The Oklahoman recognized 90 companies in Oklahoma for 2019. Central Tech placed third in the mid-size category.

The Top Workplaces lists are based solely on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by Energage, LLC.

In order to be named as a Top Workplaces, organizations must meet strict standards for organizational health. Energage research has proven these three things are most important to employees. Employees need a strong belief in where the organization is headed. They want to know how it’s going to get there. Finally, they need to feel that everyone is in it together. This sense of connection and organization is a must for Top Workplaces winners.

Central Tech invites you, the public, to celebrate their 50^th anniversary during Open House on February 16, 2020. The event is held from 1 pm – 4 pm on both the Drumright and Sapulpa campuses. Central Tech began in Drumright with three full-time programs. The school has grown to nearly 30 full-time programs with approximately 80 short-term and evening classes per semester. In addition, Tech provides training services to nearly 400 companies, and employs more than 180 staff members on two campuses.

At Central Tech the inviting environment welcomes staff, students, and clients to embrace the culture and become a part of the Central Tech family. Follow Central Tech on Facebook to read weekly 50-word culture sharing testimonies over 50 weeks to celebrate the 50^th anniversary.

“Our staff feels valued and that is reflected in how they interact with students and visitors daily. Constantly I hear employees say, ‘I love working here,’ and ‘I make a difference in people’s lives.’ This award verifies what we already know: Central Tech is a top workplace,” says Ron Dyer, Central Tech superintendent. “Thank you to our incredible staff for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to Central Tech as you are the ones achieving this award.”

With 147 golfers present, Monday, September 23rd was a beautiful day to spend at a golf tournament.

The Annual Central Tech Foundation Ron Vandever Memorial Golf Tournament was held at the Buffalo Rock Golf & Venue in Cushing.

SpiritBank, Premier Truck Group, and Walmart sponsored this year’s tournament. The response was outstanding with 70 business and community sponsors at the platinum, gold, silver and bronze levels.

This year’s tournament realized $24,000 net proceeds! The proceeds are used to provide scholarships to Central Tech students as they develop new technical careers for future employment.

Last year, the foundation was able to provide financial assistance to 44 individuals from 17 of our local communities. That’s all because of the success of this one fundraising event.

With two flights of golfers in each round, the tournament was spread out over the morning and afternoon.

Morning A Flight

In the morning A Flight, the Consolidated Turbines team of Austin Schell, Trevor Montgomery, Tony Sickels, and Thad Wages won. Team Premier Truck Group 2 placed second with team members Jason Pound, Chris Jones, JD Simmons, and Charles Carroll.

Morning B Flight

In the morning B Flight, the Tech-Labs team of David Baugus, Troy Elliott, Earl Elliott, and Kurtis Allen won. Second place in the morning B Flight was the MHC Kenworth team with members James Gear, Jonathan Gilliland, Stephen Robison, and Kirby Applegate.

Afternoon A Flight

In the afternoon A Flight, Team RBC Bank with players Blake Roberts, Cody Cottom, Jerod Helling, and Brian Jones placed 1st. Second place in the afternoon Flight A was the Mint Turbines team with Danny Hickman, JR Rodriguez, Eric Bradley, and Brian Bricken.

Afternoon B Flight

In the afternoon B Flight, Team Vaughan Insurance Group with players David Vaughan, Chris Davenport, Mike Harper, and David Vaughan Jr. placed 1st. Second place in the afternoon Flight B was the Vandever Family team with Jim Mattox, Rick Murray, Jeff Vandever, and Michael Klimcak.

Would you like to join us for next year’s tournament? SAVE THE DATE for Sept 21, 2020!

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — College graduates in Oklahoma, on average, are carrying nearly $26,000 in student loan debt and recent research shows those young employees may be making less money than some high school graduates, who take blue collar jobs.

When the time comes for young students to decide their fate knowing which move to make can feel like a shot in the dark.

For generations, the push to take the college path has become stronger. But should it be?

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May 8, 2019 (Drumright, Okla.) 

In order to help close the skills gap and raise awareness of career options in the skilled trades, Central Technology Center, today participated in SkillsUSA National Signing Day Sponsored by Klein Tools, celebrating thousands of high school seniors across the country pursuing a career in the skilled trades. Central Tech was one of approximately 300 schools across the U.S. participating in National Signing Day, which recognized over 2,500 students nationwide.

“We are thrilled we were able to partner with SkillsUSA and Klein Tools’ for the first-ever National Signing Day,” says LaDonna Gear, Campus Director of Central Tech Drumright. “As the shortage of skilled workers increases, we encourage students to enter this rewarding industry. Our seniors should be proud of everything they have accomplished as they continue to further their education and training post-graduation. We wish them all the best as they prepare for their lifelong careers.”

In a style similar to “National Signing Day” events for high school student athletes, three Central Tech Construction Trade students were recognized as they signed their “letters of intent” for a job offer, apprenticeship or advanced technical training. Tyler Wayland of Bristow, Ben Burris of Cushing and Zach Ackart of Cleveland were celebrated among future employers, school administrators, teachers, SkillsUSA advisors, family and friends, as they take the next step in their education in construction trades.

“This was an exciting day for our students as they committed to careers in the skilled trades,” says David Baugus, Construction Trades Instructor and SkillsUSA advisor at Central Tech. “These seniors have worked hard over the past two years to prepare for this next chapter of their life. Through their education, our seniors understand the hard work needed to be successful in the trade. This recognition is very well deserved to each and every one of them.”

“The first National Signing Day was a success thanks to Central Tech and its students,” says Mark Klein, co-president of Klein Tools. “Best of luck to these students as they enter the skilled trades to start their careers with their first pair of Klein Tools pliers.”

Wayland and Burris have accepted internships at Crossland Construction, and Ackart has accepted a position at Pawnee Millworks in Pawnee, Okla.

Construction trades is one of 28 full-time programs offered at Central Tech. Full-time classes provide progress-based instruction and are designed for students seeking career or technical training.

Photo 1: (L to R, back row) David Baugus, Central Tech Construction Trades Instructor, Jack Hopper, Crossland Construction Representative, and Jeremy Sheets, Central Tech Construction Trades Assistant, celebrate (L to R, Front Row) Ben Burris and Tyler Wayland as they sign a letter of intent to close the skills gap. Central Tech partnered with SkillsUSA and Klein Tools to highlight seniors who have committed to a job in the Construction Trades industry.

Photo 2: (L to R, back row) David Baugus, Central Tech Construction Trades Instructor, Heather Higgins, Pawnee Millworks Representative, and Jeremy Sheets, Central Tech Construction Trades Assistant, celebrate Zach Ackart as they sign a letter of intent to close the skills gap. Central Tech partnered with SkillsUSA and Klein Tools to highlight seniors who have committed to a job in the Construction Trades industry.

About Klein Tools

Since 1857 Klein Tools, a family-owned and operated company, has been designing, developing and manufacturing premium-quality, professional-grade hand tools.

The majority of Klein tools are manufactured in plants throughout the United States and are the No. 1 choice among professional electricians and other tradespeople. Klein is a registered trademark of Klein Tools, Inc.

About SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is a vital solution to the growing U.S. skills gap. SkillsUSA empowers its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens as it improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce. The nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry ensures America has the skilled workforce it needs to stay competitive. SkillsUSA helps every student excel through the development of SkillsUSA Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics. The association serves more than 360,000-member students and instructors per year in middle schools, high schools and colleges. This diverse talent pipeline covers 130 trade, technical and skilled service occupations, the majority STEM-related. More than 600 corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions actively support SkillsUSA at the national level. Local, state and national championships are designed and judged by industry to set relevant standards for career and technical education and provide recognition opportunities for students. SkillsUSA programs also help to establish industry standards for job skill training in the lab and classroom and promote community service. SkillsUSA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and is cited as a “successful model of employer-driven youth development training program” by the U.S. Department of Labor. SkillsUSA offers technical skill assessments and workplace credentials through the SkillsUSA Career Essentials program, a cutting-edge solution that defines, implements and measures career readiness skills for students.

The Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians has named Medical Assistant Yvon Farmer, of the Mannford Vision Clinic, 2019 Paraoptometric of the Year. 

Paraoptometrics are health professionals who assist optometric physicians in providing health care to patients. The annual award goes to a paraoptometric who displays outstanding professional leadership and service to patients.

As a native of Stillwater, Yvon worked in home health for over 20 years, and then spent time working in other industries before deciding it was time to return to the medical field. Upon making that life-changing decision, Yvon earned her Medical Assistant degree through Central Tech, Drumright, in 2012 and became a licensed phlebotomist. She performed her clinicals at Mannford Vision Clinic where she was offered a full-time job before she graduated. Yvon has now worked at the Mannford Vision Clinic for six years as a technician and compliance officer.

Yvon was also her grandmother’s caretaker and felt she wanted to provide that same type of love and care to others. “I want to take care of people and treat them all like they were my grandparents,” she said, adding that this is how she views every patient she cares for. “It’s a rewarding career,” she said. “Every day there is something new. You have your normal patients and maybe an emergency where you have the opportunity to sooth someone’s anxiety or calm them down.”

She also volunteers with Dr. Barbara Murphy at the Tulsa Day Center for the homeless, and volunteers with Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes program. Working at the homeless shelter has taught Yvon that homeless people cannot be stereotyped. She believes many people with addictions or mental health issues have nowhere to turn and cannot help themselves. The ability to survive is a heavy enough load. “Don’t judge the book by its cover or even the preface and table of contents,” she said. “That doesn’t give you the whole story or tell you how the book will end.” Her work at the shelter is 100-percent volunteer and she receives no compensation for it. Yvon said the look on a patients’ face after having their vision restored is reward enough.

With the goal of improving lives for others, Yvon enjoys serving as an advisory committee member for Central Tech and as a judge for Health Occupations Education Student Organization (HOSA) contests. When speaking to students, she encourages them to focus not only on progressing in their current area of study, but to also consider where their future career path can take them. She relates that half the time she barely had enough gas money to get to school, but she did not give up and is reaping the reward for her determination.

Yvon also shared that returning to a learning environment as an adult was accompanied by anxiety and insecurities that were hard to overcome.  Persistence despite her fears resulted in good grades and a deep appreciation for the education she was investing in out of her own pocket.

Yvon completed Medical Assisting with honors as part of the National Technical Honor Society and was also involved in the HOSA. “Central Tech gave me the opportunity to better myself in my career,” she said. “Tech was a vital part of giving me the tools I needed to succeed. My instructor, Mrs. Silkwood was able to teach what it’s like to work in the industry because or her experience in the field. Tech offered me a shorter time to a career and the ability to reach my goals. Remember… you can do it, and you’re not alone. Through class and HOSA you make many friends and contacts that support you through school and beyond.”