Interest in Sector Work: Through the Economic Development & Training Center, OSUIT works with manufacturers and workers across Oklahoma to develop customized training to increase efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Manufacturing accounts for 10% of Oklahoma’s employment with wages that pay significantly above the state per capita income. Advanced manufacturing generates new economic growth in the state and keeps Oklahoma dollars at home. A lack of skilled workers has forced some manufacturers to move work to other states or offshore. Our work in the Economic Development & Training Center is focused on increasing the technical skills of the incumbent workforce, as well as working with OSUIT’s Manufacturing Technology program to assure that entry-level workers have the necessary skills to be productive from their first day of employment. The Center also conducts youth and teacher academies to introduce the K-12 system to Oklahoma’s advanced manufacturing industry. We are also actively involved in providing training in quality management systems for manufacturers so they are able to acquire government contracts and compete for global business.