February marks Career & Technical Education (CTE) Appreciation Month across Oklahoma, and Green Country Technology Center (GCTC) is proud to join technology centers statewide in highlighting the vital role CareerTech plays in developing a skilled, workforce-ready community.

Career & Technical Education connects education to opportunity by providing students with handson, career-focused training aligned to real-world workforce needs. At GCTC, this mission comes to life every day through programs designed in partnership with industry leaders, employers and community stakeholders to ensure students graduate with skills that translate directly into in-demand careers.

As part of Oklahoma CareerTech, GCTC helps advance the statewide mission of preparing Oklahoma’s workforce for today’s jobs – and tomorrow’s opportunities. Being recognized as an Oklahoma Workforce Leader means more than delivering instruction; it means aligning education with economic growth and community success.

“Our focus is on preparing students for real careers,” Anthony Nieto, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for GCTC, said. “That means hands-on learning, industry-aligned training and meaningful partnerships with employers who depend on a skilled workforce. CareerTech is about results – for students, businesses and the communities we serve.”

GCTC offers a wide range of programs that emphasize experiential learning in lab and classroom settings. Students gain practical experience using industry-standard equipment while developing the technical and employability skills needed to succeed in the workforce. This approach ensures graduates are not only knowledgeable but job-ready.

Career & Technical Education also plays a critical role in meeting local workforce demands. By aligning curriculum with employer needs, GCTC supports economic development while helping students explore career pathways that offer stability, growth and opportunity – often without the burden of traditional four-year college debt.

Throughout CTE Month, GCTC is celebrating the students, instructors and partners who make this work possible. The month serves as a reminder that CareerTech strengthens Oklahoma’s workforce by bridging the gap between education and employment and creating pathways to success for learners of all ages.

Career & Technical Education Month is an opportunity to recognize how hands-on, skills-based education builds stronger communities and fuels economic growth. At Green Country Technology Center, that commitment continues year-round preparing students to succeed, employers to thrive and Oklahoma’s workforce to lead.

For more information about programs and enrollment opportunities at Green Country Technology Center, visit www.gctcok.edu or by calling 918-7580840.