By Will Berry, Sapulpa resident and owner of D.C. Bass Construction
As a business owner in this community, I think about one thing every day: finding enough skilled workers to get the job done.
At DC Bass Construction, we build projects that serve our communities, and we’ve been proud to partner with Central Technology Center for years. We’re currently building new classroom space in Sapulpa, and we built the south addition in Drumright, including the Cimarron Conference Room. We’ve seen firsthand the impact Central Tech has, not just as a school, but as a partner in building our communities.
But like many employers, we’re facing a real challenge. Finding skilled workers is harder than it should be.
We need electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, drafters and construction trades professionals. These are not optional roles. They are essential to getting projects done, serving customers and keeping our communities moving. And we’re not alone. Contractors and businesses across Oklahoma are dealing with the same workforce shortages.
Central Tech is one of the best tools we have to meet that need. Students gain real, hands-on skills that translate directly to the job site. When someone comes out of a Central Tech program, they’re ready to work. That matters to businesses like mine.
The problem is, there aren’t enough seats for every student who wants to attend.
More than 400 students are on waitlists, and many programs are full. That means there are students ready to learn a trade and get to work who don’t have the opportunity.
That’s a missed opportunity for them and for businesses like ours that need those workers.
The April 7 proposal is about meeting that need. It gives Central Tech the ability to train more students and provide the skilled workers employers depend on.
From where I sit, this is a practical investment.
It supports students. It supports local businesses. And it helps ensure we have the workforce needed to keep building and growing our communities in the years ahead.
Will Berry is a Sapulpa native, president of DC Bass Construction and an active leader in local economic and community development.
