Oklahoma's CareerTech System plays an integral role in training and education to prepare a construction trades workforce, including programs in the CareerTech Skills Centers and 58 technology center campuses statewide. (CareerTech photo)

The construction industry is one of Oklahoma's largest industries, employing more than 82,000 Oklahomans, but a nationwide skills gap is leaving many of those construction jobs unfilled.

Oklahoma predicts a growth of 12 percent in the construction industry in the next eight years, and across the country there is expected to be a need for 700,000 new construction professionals by 2026. Overall growth in the national economy and population have increased demand for new buildings, roads and other structures, and will create new job openings for construction and extraction operations.

Oklahoma's CareerTech System plays an integral role in training and education to prepare a construction trades workforce, including programs in the CareerTech Skills Centers and 58 technology center campuses statewide.

Oklahoma CareerTech construction trades programs are celebrating the national Careers in Construction Month in October. Gov. Mary Fallin also has signed a proclamation declaring that October is Careers in Construction Month in Oklahoma.

CareerTech is working with the National Center for Construction Education and Research and Associated General Contractors of Oklahoma to guide America's youth and displaced workers into opportunities that lead to long-term, rewarding careers in construction.

Oklahoma CareerTech offers training in carpentry, masonry, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, heavy equipment operation, cabinetmaking and computer-aided design and drafting at technology centers and skills centers and construction-related certifications in 13 areas.

For more information, visit okcareertech.org/.

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