Meridian Technology Center is part of a network of 29 CareerTech districts across the state that help power the economy and equip students to successfully enter Oklahoma’s workforce.
Meridian serves students and businesses in ten local school districts. Our strength is our ability to develop career and job training programs with the flexibility and agility local employers need.
Business and education council members make that possible by providing our instructors access to industry experts to help ensure relevancy in their curriculum and classroom instruction.
These councils provide input on technology, equipment and the workplace to ensure graduates complete their program with the skills they need to be work ready.
A recent example of their impact is found in our Electrical program.
After recognizing that students were leaving to enter the workforce before graduating and as a result of council input, two, one-year programs were developed out of the existing two-year program. This allowed students to enter the workforce earlier, while still qualifying for their apprentice license. This program council is comprised of industry representatives ranging from homebuilders to local electrical companies to Ditch Witch employees and members of the Construction Industries Board for the state of Oklahoma.
Council members also provide input on emerging workforce trends. This fall Meridian will launch a new Energy and Power program as a direct result of input from local employers.
This program was brought to life through the help of representatives with the city of Stillwater and Central Electric Cooperative.
Central Electric Cooperative CEO David Swank told Meridian that working with strategic partners like Meridian to develop an Energy and Power Program is an important step to not only garner interest in the industry, but also ensure employees are ready for the opportunities new technologies and a changing business model presents to the organization.
Recent feedback from our business and education council members highlights the power of a Meridian education. More than 97 percent of participants rated us above average for curriculum, instruction, equipment and technology. In fact, eight out of 10 companies represented hire Meridian graduates.
Meridian welcomes the participation of additional local leaders on a business and education council. We want to hear from you.
In addition, if you’d like to hire one of our graduates, you can connect directly with our instructors or post your job on our site at meridiantech.edu/areajobs.
Dr. Douglas Major is Superintendent/CEO at Meridian Technology Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Meridian has been a driver of economic development since 1975. With a mission to educate, enrich lives and secure economic futures, Meridian offers full-time career training programs, short courses, Business and Industry services and entrepreneurial support to residents from ten area school districts.
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