Oklahoma Wins $6M Grant to Boost Workforce Training

Federal Grant Strengthens High-Demand Industry Skills

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma is investing in its workforce again. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) has earned nearly $6 million from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund.

The funding is part of a national $86 million initiative to strengthen domestic production and address labor shortages in key industries. Oklahoma’s share will expand employer-focused training programs statewide, helping workers gain skills that match current market demand.

Focus on Aerospace, Manufacturing, and AI

The new initiative targets aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing, and AI infrastructure and data centers—three sectors fueling Oklahoma’s economic growth.

OESC will work with the Oklahoma Workforce Commission, CareerTech, and higher education partners to design customized training pipelines that meet real employer needs.

“This grant allows us to strengthen Oklahoma’s position as a leader in technical and industrial skills,” said Trae Rahill, CEO of OESC. “It feels great winning competitive grants that 43 other states applied for. This means funders are confident the grant dollars will go farther here, where we have the best training programs in the country and agencies working together to grow and develop Oklahoma’s economy. This grant will help us horsepower that infrastructure with real employer demand, growing skills in our people and capacity in our companies.”

Collaboration with Guild and Oklahoma Colleges

Through a partnership with Guild, a national workforce education provider, OESC will develop a regional training catalog. The catalog will connect CareerTech and college programs with Guild’s online learning options, allowing Oklahoma workers to earn certifications faster and align training with employer hiring goals.

In-person programs include:

• CareerTech’s Mechatronics & Automation Production Certificate

• Oklahoma City Community College’s Cyber Defense Program

• Rose State College’s Tanenbaum Aerospace & Cybersecurity Center

These programs will combine classroom instruction, online training, and hands-on experience to help Oklahoma workers advance in high-demand sectors.

Driving Economic Growth Across the State

The initiative reflects the Department of Labor’s broader effort to expand access to high-growth, high-wage jobs nationwide. For Oklahoma, it’s another step toward building a stronger, more resilient workforce prepared for future industry shifts.

By focusing on employer-driven skills and expanding collaboration between state agencies and education partners, Oklahoma continues to prove it’s a model for workforce innovation.

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SOURCE: JOURNAL RECORD--Rewritten by Radio Oklahoma News for clarity