OK2Grow Invests In Manufacturing Awareness
Manufacturing Career Day
Broken Arrow, OK – September 1, 2021 – Former non-profit known as OK2Grow invested their remaining funding in Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation’s (BAEDC) workforce and career awareness efforts recently. Late last year the the decision was made to dissolve OK2Grow due to the fact that the mission of the organization was being taken up by so many other organizations and had become very far reaching in Northeast Oklahoma. OK2Grow was a small business-driven workforce development and career pathway nonprofit founded by Jerry Holder, Larry Mocha and Lynda Wingo in 2011.
“The decision was made by the remaining board members to support an ongoing effort that lines up with OK2Grow,” said Holder. “The BAEDC is doing amazing stuff in the space of career awareness in STEM related fields.”
During Manufacturing Month each year, the BAEDC partners with the Broken Arrow Freshman Academy for one day to introduce students to careers in the manufacturing field. This year the BAEDC is also including Union Freshman Academy, Broken Arrow Options Academy and Union Alternative School to the day long effort.
“We ask for volunteers from manufacturing companies to come to the classroom and work with the students on a project that introduces them to the concepts of manufacturing. We also ask the volunteer to share with students what their day-to-day job is like and what they enjoy about working at their company,” said BAEDC Workforce Development Manager Amber Miller.
This event is designed to break common misconceptions about careers in manufacturing and help spark an interest in students so we can continue the pipeline of talent to our companies in Broken Arrow.
“We will have an impact on more than 2,500 Union and BA freshmen in one day,” said BAEDC SVP, Darla Heller. “Manufacturers are excited about opening young eyes to the opportunities that exist for a career in the industry.”
The BAEDC, the convener for the community’s STEM Center for Workforce Excellence has plans to replicate the career day in early 2022 focused on healthcare.
The BAEDC is seeking volunteers for the October 20th Manufacturing Career Day which will occur during National Manufacturing Month. To volunteer contact Amber Miller at amber.miller@bachamber.com.
About the Broken Arrow EDC: The Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation (BAEDC) connects businesses and organizations with guides and resources for success. Partnerships with local organizations and businesses have resulted in thousands of new jobs, capital investments that have expanded and improved the City of Broken Arrow.
