Oklahoma colleges may help train workers for proposed Inola smelter

Oklahoma’s colleges and training programs could help prepare workers for a proposed multibillion-dollar aluminum smelter in Inola, Higher Education Chancellor Sean Burrage said. The project could create demand for workers with technical skills and, if it moves forward, help draw other high-tech businesses to the state.

Burrage discussed the potential workforce needs at a Tulsa event attended by education and industry leaders. He said Oklahoma must be ready to meet the expectations of a large industrial project, but the smelter remains proposed. The project’s expected job count and construction schedule were not identified.

Which workers could be needed?

Burrage said the facility would require more than traditional manufacturing workers. Potential roles include engineers, electricians, HVAC technicians and other skilled professionals, alongside students prepared for science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

The state’s higher education system could contribute to training for those jobs, while CareerTech programs and employers could help match instruction to workplace needs. Burrage said education and industry leaders are already working together to understand what emerging industries require. Specific programs or hiring targets tied to the smelter have not been announced.

What would schools need to do?

Burrage said workforce preparation must start well before students reach college. He pointed to literacy and third-grade reading proficiency as examples of foundational skills that can support later learning, including technical training. He also said students need to be able to keep learning as industries change.

That effort, he said, calls for coordination among K-12 schools, CareerTech programs, colleges, universities and business leaders. Burrage said Oklahoma has the educational capacity to train workers, though additional funding may be needed; he expects state lawmakers to provide resources. No funding amount or state commitment was specified.

This report draws on information from News9.com.