CareerTech director outlines goals: reduce wait lists, target funding and expand apprenticeships
April 06, 2024 | CareerTech, Executive, Oklahoma
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Director Hagan used an agenda item to ask the Oklahoma CareerTech State Board for input on strategic goals through 2028 and described a set of near‑term priorities the agency will pursue.
Hagan said program approvals will be tied more closely to funding and accreditation, and the agency plans to add a performance auditor role to improve consistency in program reporting and funding alignment. "We have almost 300,000 adults without a high school diploma, and we need to work on that," Hagan said, framing adult education and credentials as a statewide priority.
Board members raised staffing and compensation concerns. One board member said agency positions are not competitive with school pay; Hagan acknowledged many agency roles remain roughly "5 to 6%" below comparable school positions and said the agency will continue to pursue incremental salary adjustments and other recruitment strategies.
Members pressed Hagan on wait‑list metrics. A board member called any qualified student who cannot access CTE education "unacceptable." Hagan said the agency reduced a previously reported wait list and will propose a clear, shared definition of "functional 0" (meaning all who want education can access it) and policy language for program utilization and minimum fill rates.
Hagan also described a planning phase with the Department of Commerce to scale apprenticeships, noting federally registered apprenticeships present challenges for small businesses and that the agency intends to develop an Oklahoma‑recognized apprenticeship model and pursue incentive grants for business participation.
The board discussed possible incentives to recruit industry instructors (tax credits, generational benefits, marketing) and agreed to continue the conversation in future meetings. No formal board action accompanied this discussion.
The director closed by asking board members to continue sharing local needs and feedback to inform program approvals and funding priorities.
Hagan said program approvals will be tied more closely to funding and accreditation, and the agency plans to add a performance auditor role to improve consistency in program reporting and funding alignment. "We have almost 300,000 adults without a high school diploma, and we need to work on that," Hagan said, framing adult education and credentials as a statewide priority.
Board members raised staffing and compensation concerns. One board member said agency positions are not competitive with school pay; Hagan acknowledged many agency roles remain roughly "5 to 6%" below comparable school positions and said the agency will continue to pursue incremental salary adjustments and other recruitment strategies.
Members pressed Hagan on wait‑list metrics. A board member called any qualified student who cannot access CTE education "unacceptable." Hagan said the agency reduced a previously reported wait list and will propose a clear, shared definition of "functional 0" (meaning all who want education can access it) and policy language for program utilization and minimum fill rates.
Hagan also described a planning phase with the Department of Commerce to scale apprenticeships, noting federally registered apprenticeships present challenges for small businesses and that the agency intends to develop an Oklahoma‑recognized apprenticeship model and pursue incentive grants for business participation.
The board discussed possible incentives to recruit industry instructors (tax credits, generational benefits, marketing) and agreed to continue the conversation in future meetings. No formal board action accompanied this discussion.
The director closed by asking board members to continue sharing local needs and feedback to inform program approvals and funding priorities.
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