November 8, 2025 Issue, Page 12 of 20

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12• SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2025 The Elk City News Weekly Oklahoma Oil and Gas Proudly Brought to you by: Oil & Gas Report for the State of Oklahoma for October 28 - November 3, 2025 Careertech delivers more for less By Brent Haken alive. never stop learning.” lives and livelihoods. For example, Miriam Mc- Today, McFarland works at A major shift is underway in Sometimes numbers speak Farland’s passion for health SSM Health St. Anthony Hos- how Oklahoma – and the na- louder than words. And when it care has been a guiding force pital. She finds deep purpose in tion – approaches workforce comes to education in Oklaho- throughout her life. After grad- helping patients breathe easier development. Oklahoma Ca- ma, the numbers make a pretty uating high school in 2007, she and in building trust with fami- reerTech is at the forefront of strong case for CareerTech. worked as a hospital house- lies and medical teams. Beyond this movement, leading efforts In fiscal 2024, Oklahoma keeper, porter and nurse tech. the technical skills, CareerTech to expand career readiness CareerTech students earned Those jobs gave her a glimpse gave her confidence, stability training in K-12 schools. 34,771 industry certifications. into the medical field, but it and the ability to support her Oklahoma CareerTech ex- The average debt carried by a was one coworker who changed family. ceeded its five-year goal for CareerTech student was just everything. “Get involved, build great K-12 enrollment more than $30.85. At a time when we’re “My absolute favorite co- relationships and take in ev- two years ahead of schedule. In adding over $500 million in worker was a respiratory thera- erything they’re willing to 2023, CareerTech set a target to student debt in Oklahoma for pist,” McFarland said. “She took teach you,” she advises students grow K-12 enrollments from postsecondary education annu- me under her wing, encour- considering CareerTech. “The 138,000 to 150,000 by 2028. ally, the difference in debt load aged me and always told me hands-on experience you gain That goal was surpassed in fis- can be life changing for many I could do anything I put my in class will transfer to your fu- cal year 2025, with more than students and their families. mind to. After watching her, I ture career and put you ahead 151,000 Oklahoma students And it’s not just students who finally said, ‘I think I could do of the curve in many situa- participating in CareerTech see the savings. The state of that,’ and I never looked back.” tions.” programs in middle, junior Oklahoma invested $5,938 for Inspired, she enrolled in the Her journey is one of thou- high and high schools across each CareerTech certification. respiratory care program at sands across Oklahoma, proof Oklahoma. By contrast, it spent $21,830 on Francis Tuttle Technology Cen- that CareerTech isn’t just about To meet the growing demand postsecondary diplomas, seven ter, offered in partnership with earning a certification. It’s from both students and em- times more than the state in- Oklahoma City Community about opening doors, building ployers, we’re seeking addition- vestment in a CareerTech cer- College. There, she combined confidence and creating fu- al resources to strengthen and tification. classroom instruction, hands- tures. And the numbers show sustain these opportunities. The same pattern can be on lab work and clinical expe- it does all that at a fraction of For more information about found in tuition costs. Ca- rience to prepare for her boards the cost of other educational CareerTech programs and reerTech students paid $32.9 and earn a certification as a routes. where to find them in Okla- million in 2024, while other registered respiratory therapist. For students and taxpay- homa, go to oklahoma.gov/ postsecondary students shoul- “The in-class lectures, ers alike, CareerTech delivers careertech. dered more than $1.5 billion in hands-on lab time and clinical high-value credentials and tuition costs. rounding gave me the knowl- life-changing opportunities. Brent Haken is the state di- But behind every number edge to be successful,” she said. Sometimes, the smarter invest- rector of the Oklahoma Depart- is a story, and that’s where the “We learned the necessities of ment isn’t the most expensive. ment of Career and Technology true value of CareerTech comes the job, how to speak up and to It’s the one that pays off in both Education.