Ponca City, OK ---------Pioneer Technology Center (PTC) has once again been awarded the Carl D. Perkins grant which is dedicated to increasing learner access to high-quality Career and Technical Education programs of study. The purpose of the Carl D. Perkins Federal Act is to develop more fully the academic, career, and technical skills of high school and adult students who elect to enroll in career and technical education programs. Each year the United States (US) Congress authorizes roughly $1.1B in Federal formula grants to states throughout the US. The state of Oklahoma receives roughly 15 million of those dollars annually.
With a focus on systems alignment and program improvement, the Perkins grant is critical to ensuring that programs are prepared to meet the ever-changing needs of learners and employers. “It’s critical that we have a balance for student needs and the emerging needs of the economy,” stated Traci Thorpe Superintendent/CEO.
Funding from this grant is used in the Pioneer Tech Career Center, where students are provided with extra help in Math and Reading. They also receive one-on-one assistance for program skills and are provided job readiness training. Each student prepares a resume, completes sample job applications and participates in a mock interview scenario.
Pioneer Tech believes in taking a personal interest in each student. “At PTC we have high expectations for our students and we strive to provide the support to help them achieve that expectation,” Thorpe remarked.
PTC’s Carl D. Perkins funding is awarded based on secondary student information. The grant this year was over $70,000 and is used to fund the Pioneer Tech Career Center. For more information about Pioneer Tech and its programs go to www.pioneertech.edu or call (580) 762-8336.
Caption: Funding awarded to Pioneer Tech by the Carl D. Perkins grant is used in the Pioneer Tech Career Center, where students are provided with extra help in Math and Reading. They also receive one-on-one assistance for program skills and are provided job readiness training. Each student prepares a resume, completes sample job applications and participates in a mock interview scenario. Pictured left to right are Nancy Jones, Learning Consultant, Bobby Jo Lorenz, Business Information Technology Education student from Ponca City and Lacey Smith, Learning Consultant. Lorenz, with the help of the Career Center Learning Consultants, received a platinum placement which is the highest score you can receive on the WorkKeys Assessment Test.