Tulsa Port of Catoosa Partners with Skills2Grow Program to Offer Internships

OK2Grow, a local non-profit that works to build tomorrow’s work force today, is expanding the Skills2Grow program for 2019-2020 school year. Skills2Grow provides high school students with training in manufacturing, technology and skilled labor trades along with the opportunity to start working in part-time jobs with manufacturing companies, while earning high school credits.
This school year, OK2Grow is adding two more school districts to the program. Catoosa and Owasso Public Schools are joining Broken Arrow, Sand Springs and Union. More companies are also joining the program, including the Tulsa Port of Catoosa.
“We are thrilled to be able to expand and offer this valuable program to even more students throughout Northeastern Oklahoma. Not only does Skills2Grow teach students valuable skills and provide training that can help them create a successful future, it also helps our local manufacturing companies create a pipeline of skilled labor,” said April Sailsbury, executive director of OK2Grow.
Sailsbury added that having the Tulsa Port of Catoosa participating will allow them to offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students from Catoosa High School and possibly other schools to work and learn at the port. Companies from the Tulsa Port of Catoosa working with the program include: CF Industries, TriStar Glass, Umicore and ISTI.
The shortage of skilled and trained workers in the manufacturing and trade industry exists nationwide. Locally, The Tulsa Port of Catoosa works closely with the companies at its industrial park to promote job opportunities, specifically to current students and recent graduates.
“Programs such as Skills2Grow will help provide high schools students a career path in the industry,” said Sheila Shook, Workforce and Education at the Tulsa Port. “The Tulsa Port’s partnership with these organizations will shed a light on the opportunities for jobs right here in Oklahoma.”
OK2Grow chose Tulsa Tech as its partner for the training because of its skilled instructors, their high-quality training and the certifications they will be able to issue the students.  
More than 60 high school seniors from five area school districts are participating in this year’s Skills2Grow Program. Canaan Kallweit is a senior at Catoosa High School and is excited about this program which he says is different than any class he’s had in high school.
“I’m learning how to be successful in the working world immediately after I graduate from high school. I am learning things that other high school classes haven’t taught me like how to apply for a job and how to interview. I am also learning how to read blueprints,” explained Kallweit,
For more information, contact Media Representatives Diane White at 918-770-3905 or Robyn Aydelott at 918-779-5771.