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�ֲ���ý will use a $2.5 million Department of Labor Grant over the next four years to help produce the workforce for tomorrow. The first step in that process begins July 22 and July 23 by gathering industry experts and local employers to discuss the state of the workforce and needs of employers.

The workforce summit is titled Demand Driven Training for the 21st Century; Building Oklahoma’s Talent Pipeline. �ֲ���ý is partnering with Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, Workforce Tulsa, Tulsa Regional Chamber and NASCO.

“�ֲ���ý and our partners are committed to strategically aligning workforce, education, and training activities in developing sustainable career pathways,” said �ֲ���ý President Tom McKeon. “This workforce summit is about discussing and creating workforce strategies and partnerships for developing skilled pipelines in meeting the needs and demands of business and industry.”

The Department of Labor grant is the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) program. The program’s primary intent is to meet the educational and career training needs of workers in the manufacturing industry who have lost their jobs or are threatened with job loss as a result of foreign trade. The aim is to deliver education and career training programs that can be completed in two years or less in the targeted industries of Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace, and Transportation & Logistics.

The certificate programs will be structured to start with entry level skills and progress through four stackable higher level certificates which will provide the students with college credit toward an associate degree. �ֲ���ý will create the education and training programs to meet the needs of employers and job seekers in these industries. The certificate program, while taught locally, will be recognized nationally and will help individuals transfer skills from an employer to a new job in a different part of the country.

The conference will host more than 20 regional and national industry and manufacturing leaders to highlight best practices and successful programs in workforce development including:

• Jennifer McNelly, President, The Manufacturing Institute
• Leo Reddy, Chairman and CEO of the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council
• Robert Sommers, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Career & Technology Education and just named Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education & Workforce Development.

The workforce symposium, Demand Driven Training for the 21st Century; Building Oklahoma’s Talent Pipeline, will be held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - Grand Hall of the Cherokees with registration and reception on Monday, July 22 beginning at 4 p.m. and registration and conference beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23.

Online registration is $99 and will close on Friday, July 19th at Noon. Registration at the door is $129. You can get more information by clicking here.