The partnership will offer scholarships to Gen Z students interested in pursuing skilled trades education at Tulsa Welding School
Tulsa Welding School’s 75th Anniversary Celebration
TULSA, Okla., May 16, 2024- StrataTech Education Group, a leading operator of skilled trade schools, announced today a new partnership with Tulsa Job Corps Center (TJCC) to address the growing demand for skilled tradespeople in Oklahoma and across the country. Through this partnership, students who are enrolled with TJCC and have an OKJobMatch account can apply for tuition assistance scholarships for career technical training programs at Tulsa Welding School (TWS).
This partnership comes at a time when skilled laborers are in high demand. An estimated 360,000 new welding professionals will be needed over the next three years, while employment for HVAC technicians is expected to grow by 6% from now to 2032. Scholarships provided by StrataTech can be combined with other educational funding sources available through TJCC to cover the full tuition cost for TWS programs in welding, electrical, and HVAC/refrigeration.
“Like most of the country, Oklahoma is facing an increasing demand for skilled laborers,” said Mary Kelly, President and CEO of StrataTech. “Our partnership with Tulsa Job Corps Center is critical as it allows us to train more Oklahomans in the skilled trades and build a stronger workforce for the state.”
Tulsa Job Corps Center provides academic, career technical, career success skills, career development training and more to young adults in the Tulsa community. Fortunately, perceptions around careers in the skilled trades are shifting as enrollment in vocational training programs is surging. The number of students enrolled in vocational-focused community colleges rose 16% last year to its highest level since the National Student Clearinghouse began tracking such data in 2018.
“People should have the option to choose their path when it comes to their career, regardless of barriers,” said Dr. Anton Bizzell, President and CEO of Bizzell US, which operates Tulsa Job Corps Center. “We’re incredibly excited to partner with StrataTech and Tulsa Welding School to further eliminate barriers and give more Oklahoma citizens access to a life-changing education.”
StrataTech will enroll up to 10 students per cohort. StrataTech and TJCC will also support students as they prepare to enter the workforce upon completion of their program, assisting with searching and applying for jobs, writing resumes, and preparing for interviews.
To learn more about Tulsa Welding School visit www.tws.edu. For additional information regarding this exciting partnership, reach out to Jenny Pacheco, Sr. Director of Agency Relations at jenny.pacheco@stratatech.com.
