Tulsa Tech Expanding to Meet Student Needs
For more than five decades, Tulsa Tech has been preparing students to enter the workforce in a variety of industries. Once they graduate, students are qualified for a successful career.
“Tulsa Tech averages a 96 percent positive placement rate for all fulltime students,” said Steve Tiger, superintendent and CEO.”Our mission of educating people for success in the workplace is showcased by the skilled workforce we place throughout the region and beyond with our business, industry, education and military partners.”
Students can choose from a variety of programs, including aerospace, automotive/alternative fuels, health sciences, information technology and pre-engineering. Tuition is free for public, private and home-schooled high school students with low-cost tuition for adult learners.
Tulsa Tech currently serves nearly 6,000 high school and adult students exploring more than 90 full-time career majors in addition to providing training for more than 31,000 customers in both part-time classes and customized business and industry training.
Students from 27 public high schools and 24 private schools are served. Tulsa Tech has 409 students in grades 9-12 enrolled in preengineering with an 85 percent retention rate this year, which is more than any CareerTech in the state. Counties served include Creek, Okmulgee, Osage, Pawnee, Rogers, Tulsa, Wagoner and Washington.
Once those students graduate, they can seek job opportunities across an extremely large network due to the hundreds of partnerships that Tulsa Tech has developed with regional companies to provide student placement and work-based experience. In fiscal year 2018, Tulsa Tech’s economic impact to the region was $675 million.
“I am very excited about the number of companies that we are partnering with to improve our region’s workforce as well as working with economic development partners to attract new companies to our region,” said Tiger.”Last year, Tulsa Tech served over 750 companies. We are not only improving thousands of lives through preparing them for workplace success, but we are truly an economic growth driver.”
Like the trade skills they teach, Tulsa Tech’s campus is evolving to fit the needs of today’s world. In 2021 Tulsa Tech will unveil the latest addition to Lemley Memorial Campus when the Client Service Center opens. This expansion will streamline services and consolidate classrooms into the new state-of-the-art facility.
The center will be 199,813 square feet of diverse space and home to updated training classrooms, large and small group meeting spaces, admission and testing areas, various district departments, administration offices and board of education meetings.
The expansion project comes at a time when Tulsa Tech has seen what Tiger calls “significant growth” in enrollment the last three years across instructional delivery arms: full-time career majors; Adult Career Development, Business and Industry Services; and extension programs located in Tulsa County public high schools.
“When I say significant, I really mean it,” said Tiger.”We have increased student enrollment by 39 percent over a three-year period. People are beginning to realize the importance of workforce training and the ability of our state’s CareerTech system to deliver.”
The Lemley Memorial Campus spans more than 40 acres and includes 10 instructional buildings featuring more than 238,000 square feet of classes, laboratories and shops.
“If individuals want to be successful in the job market, they should consider Tulsa Tech,” said Tiger. “We are extremely affordable, student focused and provide exceptional instruction which result in positive student outcomes.”
Tiger said he and the rest of the staff are excited about what the future holds for the campus and for the students who will utilize the facilities to advance their careers.
“The impact Tulsa Tech is having on lives and our region’s economic growth is tremendous,” said Tiger.
“The rebuild of our Lemley Memorial Campus, including the new Client Services Center, will provide an opportunity to continue our growth and student success well into the future.”
If you’re currently looking for exciting classes for high school and adult students, quality corporate training, or a challenging new career, Tulsa Tech invites you to visit today. For more information, please call 918-828-5000 or visit tulsatech.edu.
