June 21, 2024

6/21/2024

Friday | June 21, 2024

Future Workforce Engagement

Many conversations (some lamenting, some extolling) are had on the youth of today. Many of these conversations are about future workforce; some are about current workforce. And then there are the conversations about where IS the workforce?

Staff believes all these conversations are valid. At an economic development conference in OKC, Mark Perna was the keynote speaker and the topic was generational divide and workforce engagement. Perna gave the example of his own son's lack of engagement with school. Until, that same son became motivated by the possibility of a profession: An end goal. Perna tells a heck of a story and he also gives his listeners practical techniques to overcome the lack of engagement and battle the generational divide happening all over the world.

Whether you are a business owner, educator or parent, the upcoming Workforce & Education Summit is a must attend event. Topics will include career awareness, Gen Z motivation, skills gaps, apprenticeships and local solutions. Call the Chamber now to get signed up. PCDA thanks our partners on this event including Northern Oklahoma College, Pioneer Tech, Ponca City Public School and the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce. Save the date: Thursday, July 18th.

Young Leaders

Three High School Juniors from Kay County were selected for the Youth Leadership Oklahoma Program (YLOK) this June. YLOK annually recruits 50 high school student leaders from across Oklahoma who have completed their junior year in high school to participate in a leadership training program. There were over 300 applicants from across the state.

Those selected were Hannah Cross from Newkirk and Brylen Liberton and Annie Leaming (staff knew they were special from their Girl Power Days!) from Ponca City. These three spent a whirlwind week of touring and learning about Oklahoma. These YLOK alumni are young leaders who feel hope, pride, and responsibility for Oklahoma's future. Join staff in congratulating these three for this honor.

Congratulations!

Ponca City has some great businesses, projects and people who are finalists in the Oklahoma Main Street Awards for 2024. A big shout out to all, but especially to 2020 PCDA Business Plan PItch-off Champion Aesthetic State of Mind, our favorite grant writer Rhonda Skrapke, the very popular event Goblins on Grand (those kids are adorable!) and our very own staff person Lori Henderson.

Congratulations to all our Ponca City people, businesses and programs, and to our Ponca City Main Street Program for writing some fantastic nominations.

Work Ready Ponca City

Work Ready Oklahoma (WRO), the Ponca City office, held their first community job fair at Pioneer Technology Center. WRO is powered by Pioneer Technology Center and is a program designed to assist individuals gain independence and provide financially through quality employment.

At the event yesterday, professional headshots were offered, local resources were highlighted, and several local employers were taking applications and doing interviews at the event. If you would like more information on the WRO program, please call 580.718.4237 or visit the WRO Ponca City office here at City Central, Suite #307.