Mid-America Technology Center

PROJECT PURPOSE

Mid-America Technology Center was established in 1970 providing vocational and career training to Garvin and McClain Counties. The population density of Garvin County dictated the location of the school be in the southern part of McClain County. Over the past 50 years, that population has shifted 25 miles north, and the population center of the district is now in the norther half of McClain County. Mid-America currently offers six different license/certification programs to just under 300 students each year. Approximately 60% of those students come from northern McClain County. Careers in healthcare have been on a steady upward trend for the past two decades. COVID has exasperated that growth trend to near crisis levels in Central Oklahoma. Enrollment data indicates that current enrollment numbers could double by simply building a campus nearer the where the students live. In recognition of the current shortage of health care workers, and the population growth in the underserved northern portion of McClain County, we believe the timing is right to expand the available nursing and related health care professional training opportunities from our existing location in Wayne, OK, to a location in the center of the growth are near Blanchard and Newcastle.

EVIDENCE

We have been approached by stakeholders in the health care sector for help in supplying more trained and licensed workers to fill the growing employment gaps. We have also been approached by our Legislators seeking solutions to these issues. Local chambers of commerce, school boards, and civic organizations have asked how we plan to address these problems. Each of these recognize our unique ability to impact the local economy by providing gainful employment to our citizens. They also recognize our mission of meeting the education and training needs of our district. This growth will meet those needs.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The most visible community impacted by this problem are those affected by COVID. The friends and family members of those in our communities that were unable to get qualify healthcare, hospital beds, appointments, and treatment during the past two years. Our healthcare partners continually report that it is not ?lack of beds? but is ?lack of staff? that impact our hospitals? ability to receive patients and provide quality care. Our enrollment data supports the idea of adding additional training opportunities to supply qualified healthcare professionals to our district, and beyond. To meet this need, we need the seats, lab space, and training areas required to prepare those workers. Our existing campus is currently enrolled to capacity. Additional growth at our existing campus will require much additional support and infrastructure improvements to support the additional bodies. It would be more efficient and effective to grow where the students, the available workforce live.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

As one of the 29 tech centers that are part of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology, Mid-America Technology Center regularly collects and reports on performance measures that include: enrollment, related job placement, salary information, retention, and employer satisfaction. Additionally, we collect data on the ?waiting lists? for programs which indicates the number of otherwise qualified applicants who were unable to enroll in programs. The waiting lists for health-related programs continues to grow, and that growth is disproportionate to the northern part of McClain County. We feel that each of these data points would be positively impacted.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma