HIGHER EDUCATION – REFORM, INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION The Chamber recognizes a high-quality higher education system is critical to economic growth. Oklahoma City continues to struggle with meeting the workforce needs of its employers, particularly in Critical Occupations (as defined by www. oklahomaworks.gov/criticaloccupations). The business community, governments and higher education continue to face financial challenges. We all must be innovative and flexible to meet the needs of customers and achieve our mission. This includes development of partnerships that produce tech transfer and research partnerships to generate private, federal and foundation revenue. We urge the higher education system to pursue significant reform to better meet employer needs. The business community supports the following reforms: • Higher education funding directed to producing graduates with degrees in Critical Occupations such as engineering, nursing and IT/software/cybersecurity and staying abreast of future career readiness skills including artificial intelligence (AI). • Increased accountability and annual metrics that motivate institutions to increase the number of graduates by requiring timely reporting of degrees produced in Critical Occupations. • Innovative approaches to curriculum and degree offerings, including ongoing analysis of in-demand degree programs and creation of non-degree programs/certificates that create a workforce with needed skills. • Efforts to maximize funding through consolidation and sharing of services, programs and instructors. • New partnerships between four-year institutions, CareerTechs and community colleges that enable schools to share resources, staff and facilities. • Expanded programs that provide financial support and resources for Critical Occupation students enrolled part-time. WORKFORCE/ADULT LEARNING Oklahoma’s workforce has many people who have started college but have not earned degrees. The state also has many individuals who need additional skills or training to meet employers’ needs. The Chamber supports new programs and fiscal solutions to support adult learners’ ability to upskill and complete degrees. HIGHER EDUCATION – EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDIT To increase the college-educated workforce in the state, the Chamber supports the expansion of the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship tax credit for needs-based scholarships to eligible public college students. This expansion
would generate funding for scholarships by providing tax credits to individuals and businesses who make donations to higher education foundations that provide scholarships. OSRHE FUNDING FORMULA The Chamber supports re-examining current funding formulas and metrics to provide equitable base funding for public higher education institutions from the Oklahoma State Regents of Higher Education. OKLAHOMA’S PROMISE Oklahoma’s Promise is one of the nation’s most successful college access programs. We oppose legislation that would diminish the program’s focus on college access. We support efforts to increase the number of college graduates and continued direct allocation of state funds, which ensures full funding of scholarships earned by Oklahoma students. CAREER TECH – BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY TRAINING The Oklahoma CareerTech system is acknowledged as one of the top systems in the nation. CareerTech is a key ingredient in attracting industry to Oklahoma through its Training for Industry Program (TIP). The Chamber supports funding to assure training needs for new and existing industry. The business community urges the system to focus on producing a workforce that can meet the needs of in demand and Critical Occupations. CAREER READINESS AND CERTIFICATION The Chamber believes the Oklahoma workforce needs more opportunities to earn post-secondary education, including certifications, degrees, licenses and other training targeting skills that are in demand and meet industry needs. • We support key scholarship programs: Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grants (OTEG) and Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grants (OTAG). • We support concurrent enrollment that enables more students enter college and complete a college degree. • We support development of work-based learning opportunities such as internships and apprenticeship programs. • The Chamber supports collaboration and partnerships with educational organizations and the business community when developing targeted legislation. The new Graduation Requirements legislation brought together all partners and should continue to be the standard moving forward. Education and business-related endeavors serve both Pre-K to Higher Ed student success along with the economic success of our state.
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