Northeast Oklahoma Talent Pipeline
Tulsa’s Future is actively investing in the businesses and workforce of tomorrow. Strategic programs such as Tulsa’s NextGEN Talent externship and the Workforce and Talent Council, which debuted in 2024, allow area companies to zero in on talent attraction and business needs. If you’re looking for a place to accelerate business growth without compromising time and energy that could be dedicated to more pressing matters, Tulsa is a pro-business region with supportive initiatives.
Summaries of the Workforce and Talent Council meetings can be found here:
Fast Facts
Black Juniors and Seniors Served Annually Through Tulsa NextGen Talent Externship
Tulsa Chamber Members Were Ranked as Mosaic Top Inclusive Workplaces in 2022
K-12 School Districts
The greater Tulsa region is home to a thriving and diverse pre-K through 12th grade school district system, catering to a significant number of students. With a total student population of over 150,000, the area boasts a comprehensive educational landscape.
Our school districts place a heavy emphasis on Individual Career Academic Planning (ICAP), a collaborative multi-year process that empowers students to explore various career paths, academic pursuits, and postsecondary opportunities. ICAP ensures that students receive personalized guidance, preparing them for their future endeavors and helping them make informed decisions about their academic and professional journey.
Moreover, the school districts in the greater Tulsa region take pride in offering a robust STEM curriculum, nurturing the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. With state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated educators, students are encouraged to delve into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, fostering critical thinking and creativity. This emphasis on STEM education equips students with the skills necessary to excel in an ever-evolving global landscape
Technical Education
Tulsa Tech is a part of the statewide Career Tech system and has seven campuses throughout the region. Tulsa Tech’ s curriculum specializes in career training in more than 90 instructional areas. Tuition is free for public, private and home-schooled high school students with low-cost tuition for adult learners. Morning, afternoon, evening and all-day classes are available to fit any student’s schedule.
Its business & industry services division supports offer workforce and training development for employers at an affordable cost or direct and in-kind contributions, should you qualify. A team of industry expert professionals work with employer teams to develop customized programs, designed to help businesses grow and thrive in a non-threating environment. Also, the region boasts an additional 5 technology centers that are a part of the manufacturing ecosystem.
Higher Education Partners
With a staggering 424,189 graduate students within a 200-mile radius, Tulsa offers a vast and diverse talent pool across multiple industries.
The University of Oklahoma Polytechnic Institute (OUPI) at OU-Tulsa focuses on delivering high-demand, advanced, and technology-based education. OUPI’s innovative programs align with the growing demands of industries, preparing graduates to become pioneers in their respective fields and transform Oklahoma’s business landscape.
Tulsa’s commitment to technological advancement is evident through the advances in Electric Vehicle (EV) programming. The region is making significant strides in sustainable transportation and clean energy initiatives, making it an attractive hub for companies involved in the EV industry.
Additionally, the Helmerich Research Center (HRC) at OSU-Tulsa is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to research, development, testing, and education. Home to the OSU School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), the HRC fosters collaboration among faculty from various engineering disciplines to address real-world challenges and drive innovation.
One of the key factors contributing to the success of higher education in Tulsa is the strong emphasis on employer engagement and partnerships. Tulsa’s educational institutions actively collaborate with businesses, ensuring that the curriculum aligns with industry needs and equips students with practical skills. These partnerships create a seamless transition from academia to the workforce, producing graduates who are job-ready and poised to make a positive impact in their respective fields.
With a steady influx of talented and well-prepared graduates, Tulsa’s workforce pipeline offers an attractive proposition for companies seeking a thriving and skilled labor force in their pursuit of relocation.
Regional Training Partners
Our regional training partners collaborate with companies to ensure the skills of our workforce align with the skills employers need. These organizations are just a fraction of our many regional training providers.
Community WorkAdvance is a sector-focused workforce development initiative that helps hundreds of Tulsa- area residents build stable and productive lives. TCW’s innovative approach works to understand employer’s skill gap needs and connect individuals to free technical training, full-time job placement and career advancement coaching.
Green Country Workforce On The Job Training fills the skills gap and allows new employees to be trained “on the job” by experienced employees. This provides job seekers with the work experience and skills training needed to successfully obtain and retain employment. The program covers an 11 county area including: Tulsa, Okmulgee, Creek, Pawnee, Osage, Wagoner, Muskogee, McIntosh, Cherokee, Adair and Sequoyah.
Cherokee Nation Business provides job-specific technical training for work in most trades. These programs generally focus on providing students with hands-on instruction and can lead to certification, a diploma or certificate.
Goodwill Tulsa Works Career Academy provides training and the opportunity to earn industry recognized credentials to people who are seeking employment and continuing education. Training specializes in four industries: information technology, forklift and material handling, private security and hospitality.
Atlas School is a software engineering school dedicated to meeting the educational needs of a developing and expanding society in a highly advanced technological community. The programs are designed to provide students with the skills and technical knowledge needed for initial employment in entry-level positions in the software engineering field.