These three seven-letter words sum-up Central Technology Center and the impact it has on the community and surrounding area.

Elevate. The Economy.

“Central Tech graduates continue to have a major impact on our communities and the Oklahoma economy,” said Phil Waul, Central Tech Superintendent.

Students who completed full-time technical training at Central Tech last year earned more than $26 million combined in annual salaries with an average entry level salary of $37,964.

These statistics and others help prove there is a demand for highly trained skilled workers and that Central Tech produces students who qualify for high wage and high demand jobs. In fact, Central Tech placed 130 welders this past year and the average truck driver training graduate averaged $41,000 – $54,000 per year depending on the industry. Videos highlighting the demand and the need for more workers can be found on the Central Tech website.

Educate. Students.

More than 22,000 students were trained in either full-time career majors, short-term adult education classes or business and industry classes in the past year.

College credit hours are available in most of Central Tech’s full-time classes through an alliance agreement with six colleges and universities. Central Tech students earned 2,546 college credit hours in the 2010-2011 school year. This agreement allows students to graduate from high school with both a high school diploma and a college transcript – saving time and reducing college expenses.

Central Tech continues to demonstrate excellence in education offering a Pre-Engineering Academy and Biomedical Sciences through Project Lead the Way, career tracks for adult education, Turning Point – a dropout recovery program for high school students who have recently dropped out or who are at risk of dropping out, a nationally recognized Cyber Security Program and expanded support through Business and Industry Services in pipeline and safety training.

Empower. Lives.

For 2011, 98 percent of full-time students from both Drumright and Sapulpa campuses were placed on-the-job or enrolled in college to continue their education.

For more information on how Central Tech elevates, educates and empowers the district visit Students Speak Out, the Impact and success stories, at www.centraltech.edu.