Business and industry leaders from across the state will meet at the state capitol on Tuesday, March 9 th as part of CareerTech Business and Industry day.

The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of CareerTech's role of economic development in the state of Oklahoma . Phil Berkenbile, State Director for the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education said, "This is a great opportunity to showcase to the legislators the impact the CareerTech system has in the retention of business, job creation, and economic development in Oklahoma ."

Oklahoma Technology Centers, including Central Tech in Drumright and Sapulpa , served 170,000 individuals through business and industry services in fiscal year 2003. Those individuals make up a total of 5300 businesses served. In a 2003 survey of those businesses served, 99% say they would use the services again.

Local business representatives planning to attend the event include Larry and Debbie Griffin of Patriot Fuels, Inc., in Sapulpa ; Robert Epperly, WEBCO in Mannford; and Joe Carter, Mid-South Technologies, Drumright. Accompanying the local business delegation will be Central Tech superintendent Phil Waul.

In 2003, a national business magazine , Expansion Management , ranks Oklahoma 's CareerTech system fourth nationally in work force training and development. This marks the third year in a row that Expansion Management had compiled a national listing of work force training programs and Oklahoma has been included in the top ten all three years.