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.

Students from Central Tech’s Drumright and Sapulpa campuses earned 23 team and individual awards in the SkillsUSA state competition on April 23rd and 24th in Tulsa, OK. Among those 23 awards, four teams and six individuals placed first, moving most of them on to the SkillsUSA national competition later this year. Students from around the state came together to compete in entrepreneurship, welding, audio production and other various categories against students from all over the state.

One student, Brittney Anson, from Kiefer, earned one of eight 2018-2019 state officer positions.

“I’m proud of everyone that represented Central Tech at the state level and wish the best of luck to those moving on to the national stage,” said Shane Bruce, Central Tech’s assistant director.

SkillsUSA is a national membership association serving high school, college and middle school students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations, and for further education. More than 335,000 students and advisors join SkillsUSA each year, organized into more than 18,000 local chapters and 53 state and territorial associations. In 2017, 19,500 teachers served as professional members and SkillsUSA advisors. Combining alumni membership, the total number reached annually is over 394,000. SkillsUSA has served more than 12.5 million members since its founding in 1965.

For more information on SkillsUSA, visit their website at skillsusa.org. To learn more about Central Tech, go to centraltech.edu.

Central Tech Cosmetology Instructor Monica Frick was awarded Oklahoma SkillsUSA North Central District Advisor of the Year for 2016-2017, on February 24, 2017, at the North Central District Spring Leadership Conference in recognition of exemplary service and leadership to students of SkillsUSA Oklahoma.

Frick’s work with the Action Skills Contest on the national level has impacted hundreds of students over the years and her care and compassion for students at all learning levels is a model for advisors to follow.

Central Tech is proud of Frick and congratulates her for receiving this prestigious award.