Pioneer Tech Awarded Carl D. Perkins Grant

Funding awarded to Pioneer Tech through the Carl D. Perkins grant is used in the Pioneer Tech Career Center, where students are provided with extra help in math and reading.  Pictured from left 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, the highest score possible on the WorkKeys Assessment Test.

Pioneer Technology Center has 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 U.S. Congress authorizes roughly $1.1 billion in federal formula grants to states throughout the United States.  Oklahoma receives roughly $15 million 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 of Pioneer Technology Center.

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 said.

PTC’s Carl D. Perkins funding is awarded based on secondary student information. The grant this year was more than $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.