Oklahoma workforce leaders presented a new gap‑analysis tool Thursday that maps employer demand against the supply of trained workers in the Tulsa metropolitan area. The tool, demonstrated by the Oklahoma Workforce Commission, used nursing, industrial engineering and certified public accounting as case studies to illustrate distinct challenges.
Key findings
The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) projects total employment in the Tulsa metro region to rise from roughly 456,040 jobs in 2022 to about 493,500 by 2032 – an increase of 37,460 jobs, or 8.2 percent. While overall growth is modest, specific occupations show sizable openings.
Nursing: Limited training capacity is the primary barrier. “There’s a gap because there’s not enough training spots for people to be trained to be nurses,” interim commission director Melissa Houston said. Legislative investment is expanding program capacity, though she did not give a precise shortage figure.
Industrial engineering: Recruiting students and retaining graduates in Oklahoma are the main hurdles. “You can add all kinds of seats to train more engineers, but if they don’t stay in the state of Oklahoma, you’re not shrinking the gap,” Houston explained. Solutions include stronger math‑science preparation and incentives to keep qualified workers in‑state.
Truck driving: OESC forecasts about 8,210 openings over the decade, even though total employment in the occupation is projected to grow by only 590 jobs. Modest growth combined with retirements and career changes creates a steady demand for drivers.
Training and partnership efforts
CareerTech State Director Brent Haken noted the training pipeline does not yet fully match employer needs. “We’re working to get there, but we’ve got a ways to go,” he said. CareerTech partnered with more than 11,000 businesses last year, shaping programs around local equipment, technology and skill requirements, especially in advanced manufacturing linked to aerospace.
Haken highlighted a 25 % increase in full‑time postsecondary enrollment over the past three years and emphasized that employers value reliability, adaptability and a willingness to learn new skills. He added that workers can return for short‑term training at any point in their careers.
Resources for families and job seekers
Oklahoma Workforce Commission Vice President of Government Affairs Adam Maxey pointed to the OK WIRE online dashboard, which provides real‑time data on job demand, skill requirements, wages and employer locations. He urged prospective students to ask about tuition, program length, licensing exams, financial assistance and job‑placement outcomes before enrolling.
“Here’s the demand that is taking place in real time and it allows people to match up those two,” Houston said, emphasizing the importance of aligning training with family needs and long‑term career stability.
Original reporting: KTUL 8 (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
