What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Oklahoma's business community is raising concerns about the state's workforce readiness, emphasizing that workforce gaps are hindering economic growth. During a recent fly-in to Washington, D.C., the State Chamber of Oklahoma conveyed to the congressional delegation that the state is falling behind in GDP, per capita income growth, healthcare, and education outcomes. Chamber leaders stressed the need for STEM education to meet the demands of new jobs and announced plans to launch an initiative called Oklahoma Competes to address these challenges.
Why It's Important?
Workforce readiness is crucial for attracting and retaining businesses, which in turn drives economic growth. Oklahoma's current workforce gaps could deter companies from expanding or relocating to the state, impacting job creation and economic prosperity. Addressing these gaps is essential for improving education and healthcare outcomes, which are critical for a competitive workforce. The initiative aims to foster collaboration among business, state, and federal leaders to enhance workforce capabilities.
What's Next?
The Oklahoma Competes initiative will focus on improving education and workforce development to meet the needs of businesses. Success will require collaboration among various stakeholders, including government and industry leaders. The initiative aims to elevate Oklahoma's workforce readiness, ensuring the state can compete effectively in attracting new businesses and supporting economic growth.
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