Uniquely among the states, Oklahoma brings together leaders from business, government, education, and non-profit sectors to jointly develop ways to coordinate workforce development with economic development. The goals: better jobs for the state’s workers and better-qualified workers for the state’s employers.
The Youth Council was designed to create an Oklahoma workforce strategy that aligns with youth initiatives and provides common solutions that coordinates with the state’s economic goals of building prosperity for all Oklahomans.
The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded Oklahoma two major green-job grants (OK Green $6M and OK Greenovation $5M) to train and employ workers in emerging industries such as energy efficiency and renewable energy. The goal is to train more than 5,000 workers for jobs that pay above the state’s per capita income.
Work Ready Communities expands the state’s skills assessment and certification effort currently offered to individual employees, job seekers, and employers through the WorkKeys and Career Readiness Certificate program.
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce, as the administrative entity for the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), issues policy on behalf of the Governor and the Governor's Council for Workforce and Economic Development (state workforce investment board).
Because layoffs are often part of weathering a lackluster economy and aren't necessarily permanent, employers who manage their workforce reductions well can expect to improve their organization's image, productivity, profits, and staff morale.
Oklahoma recognizes the importance of linking workforce development and economic development for the long-term success of the state. The following are questions most often asked about how this partnership works.
Rapid Response activities are provided as a part of a comprehensive Workforce Investment System designed to respond quickly to employer, employee and community needs when a mass layoff and/or plant closure appears imminent.
OKworks.org is designed to connect job seekers, employers, and community partners to the tools and resources needed to build Oklahoma's workforce.
Council Matters is the official newsletter of the Governor’s Council for Workforce and Economic Development.
Meeting schedules and agendas for the Governor's Council for Workforce and Economic Development and Workforce Youth Council.
Revised 4-29-13
Program Year 2012 July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012