October 30, 2023
SWOSU Press Release
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is proud to announce a groundbreaking workforce development system, with an investment of $6.1 million over five years. The contract was awarded by Oklahoma Human Services and will be led by SWOSU Project Directors Dr. Amy Barnett, Dr. Kalie Kerth and Ms. Amy Martin.
The Work Ready Oklahoma (WRO) contract will provide essential workforce development resources locally. Program participants will attend comprehensive workshops tailored for various populations, including low-income individuals and families, historically unemployed or underemployed individuals, low-skilled workers, individuals with a criminal background or those reentering society after incarceration.
In its inaugural year, the program will serve at least 100 community members, with plans for continuous expansion in the coming years. Participant recruitment will begin in January 2024, with services starting in March 2024. Central to this initiative is the Work Ready Oklahoma Employment Center in Weatherford, Oklahoma—or Work Ready Weatherford.
“Work Ready Weatherford is committed to strengthening families by helping low-income individuals gain livable wages through stable, quality employment,” said Toni Ruiz, Work Ready Weatherford Director. “This approach not only prioritizes financial and family stability but also contributes to the growth and vitality of our local community.”
For seven years, Work Ready Oklahoma has successfully provided services in the Oklahoma City metro area. In 2022, WRO expanded its reach to rural Oklahoma, opening Employment Centers in McIntosh, Muskogee, and Pittsburg counties. The pilot program reported impressive outcomes. Between January and October 2022, the pilot sites placed 164 individuals into jobs, with 60% of these (96 individuals) landing remote positions. This effort has the potential to generate an added $6 million in annual wages—a significant boost for the local economy. The positive outcomes achieved in these pilot locations demonstrated the value of extending the program across Oklahoma.
Each Employment Center will feature a co-working space and provide ongoing coaching and support for remote workers after they complete the workshop. The program also offers training opportunities and employment initiatives to prepare participants for careers that lead to self-sufficiency. Funding provided by Oklahoma Human Services means that local participants can access these vital services at no cost.
Work Ready Weatherford priorities include the following:
Equipping vulnerable Oklahomans with information, coaching and connections for self-sufficiency.
Assisting low-income Oklahomans in finding and maintaining consistent, gainful employment within the community.
Establishing connections between Oklahomans and a network of livable-wage job opportunities, both virtually and through local partnerships.
Providing access to training programs and employment initiatives to enhance self-sufficiency and promote stable, healthy families.
Collaborating to ensure resources from SNAP Employment & Training programs, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs and other funded employment programs are available to low-income families.
Learn more about the program at www.workreadyoklahoma.com. For information about SWOSU’s involvement in the Work Ready Oklahoma system and its impact on the local community, please contact Toni Ruiz at toni.ruiz@swosu.edu.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
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