By Connor Harrington, CEO of Kuder, Inc.
Career and technical education in Oklahoma is not just another workforce development initiative. It is a comprehensive, statewide system that reimagines how people access education, training, and real opportunities at every stage of life. At Kuder, we are proud to be a trusted partner in helping power that transformation through the OKCareerGuide platform that supports PK-12th grade students, college, and workforce users.
We’ve partnered with state education systems across the country for over 30 years, but what Oklahoma is building through its CareerTech department represents a standout model for the future of workforce development.
Here are five key lessons that provide a replicable blueprint for states across the country looking to build effective and responsive career and technical education systems.
“There is no other system like us, so they don’t understand us.”
That insight from Brent Haken, Oklahoma’s State Director of CareerTech, captures the uniqueness of the state’s approach.
Oklahoma CareerTech operates as a fully integrated ecosystem, not a standalone institution. It functions through five distinct delivery arms that allow it to serve a wide range of individuals:
Oklahoma’s approach is scalable and adaptable. From aviation to health sciences to rural manufacturing, CareerTech responds in real time to employer needs and labor market shifts. That responsiveness is supported by a cadre of nationally certified instructors, a commitment to measurable outcomes, and a statewide culture that values education as economic development.
Moreover, Oklahoma’s leadership in the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is unmatched. With over 4,000 professionals engaged through the Oklahoma ACTE, the state plays a vital role in shaping national CTE policy and practice.
At Kuder, we contribute to this vision through tools like OKCareerGuide featuring Kuder Connect 2 Business, a statewide platform that connects individuals directly to internships, apprenticeships, and real-world opportunities. This is how ecosystems bridge the gap between education and employment, by embedding relevance into every step of the career development journey.
The scope and success of CareerTech is striking when viewed through the lens of its resources. In fiscal year 2024, the system recorded more than 520,000 enrollments (Oklahoma CareerTech Director’s Column, 2025).
Despite its impact, CareerTech programs receive just four percent of Oklahoma’s state education appropriations. By comparison, K–12 education receives 76 percent, and higher education receives 20 percent (Oklahoma CareerTech Press Release, 2025).
As Director Haken noted, “Last year, we turned out 25,000 certificates for people to go to work, and we did that with fewer dollars than any CareerTech system in the country.”
CareerTech’s efficiency is further underscored by a 94 percent positive placement rate in 2023, indicating that nearly all program graduates transitioned into employment, further education, or military service.
The economic return is equally strong. For every $1 of state funding, CareerTech generates $9.39 in economic output and $10.48 in lifetime earnings for students (Oklahoma CareerTech Press Release, 2024).
This is a high-performing system demonstrating what is possible with lean budgets, strong partnerships, and a relentless focus on outcomes.
One of the biggest discussions happening in Oklahoma, and across the country, is the growing importance of short-term, skills-based credentials as effective pathways to meaningful employment.
Nationally, similar credentials are commonly referred to as short-term certificates, industry-recognized credentials, or micro-credentials, encompassing a range of high-demand sectors and skills.
Examples include:
These credentials are not only faster to earn, but they also produce powerful economic outcomes. According to Census Bureau data analyzed by the state, individuals in Oklahoma who complete short-term credentials earn $188,000 more over their lifetime than those with only a high school diploma. That translates to a $1.84 billion increase in statewide income and $124 million in additional state tax revenue.
These short-term pathways are accessible, data-driven, and aligned with the real needs of employers. As the national workforce evolves toward a skills-first economy, programs like these will become even more central to both individual advancement and economic competitiveness.
At the recent Oklahoma Summit, state leaders, educators, and industry experts gathered to advance career planning and workforce development in the state. In conversations, one theme came through loud and clear: workforce readiness is a top economic priority.
Workforce shortages are already putting pressure on Oklahoma’s economy:
CareerTech is designed to meet these needs head-on. The system is nimble, responsive, and rooted in employer input, making it one of the most aligned education-to-workforce pipelines in the country. By linking these employer-driven programs to platforms like Kuder Connect 2 Business, CareerTech ensures that learners have direct access to internships, apprenticeships, and job opportunities, effectively bridging the gap between training and employment.
As national leaders look to bridge the widening gap between education and employment, Oklahoma CareerTech offers a compelling model. It delivers on multiple fronts:
It is a model that not only responds to workforce needs, but actively anticipates them. At Kuder, we are partners actively listening to the state’s evolving needs and building customized, scalable solutions in tandem. Our tools and platforms are fully embedded in CareerTech’s work, helping learners across the state connect interests to careers, credentials to outcomes, and planning to purpose.
Supporting CareerTech means supporting a system designed not just to react, but to anticipate workforce trends, keeping Oklahoma’s economy competitive.
The Oklahoma Summit was an inspiring event. It was a demonstration of what is possible when systems are unified, outcomes are measurable, and innovation is shared across sectors.
To my fellow leaders in education, government, and industry: if you’re looking for a model to replicate, start here.
Let’s shape the future of workforce development, together.
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