Pioneer Technology Center (PTC) was honored this fall with the Oklahoma Association of Resource Conservation and Development’s (OARCD) "Outstanding Supporting Organization" of the year. Pioneer Technology Center was nominated for the award by Wheatland Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D). According to Carl Smith, Wheatland’s program coordinator, "Our goals could not be accomplished without partners like Pioneer Technology Center. Pioneer Tech has partnered with Wheatland RC&D for twelve years by providing unparalleled support and producing innovative programs."
Wheatland’s mission is to increase public awareness of environmental concerns and accelerate the development and protection of natural, human and financial resources thereby improving the quality of the life. Wheatland RC&D serves Alfalfa, Blaine, Canadian, Garfield, Grant, Kay, Kingfisher, Logan, Major, and Noble counties.
Pioneer Tech received the award based on the organization’s innovation, outreach, partnerships and leadership that are devoted to Oklahoma’s rural development.
An exhibition of Pioneer Tech’s efforts to reach out to rural Oklahoma, PTC partnered with Wheatland RC&D on many educational endeavors. Pioneer Technology Center hosted two state RC&D quarterly meetings. Wheatland RC&D also staged four grant writing seminars at PTC offering towns, schools and Native American tribes the knowledge necessary to successfully apply for grants. In addition, PTC partnered with Wheatland to sponsor a sustainable agriculture seminar that provided assistance and information to farmers and ranchers in a multi-county area.
Pioneer Technology Center provided expertise and planning during its twelve years of membership in Wheatland’s Council. PTC has also provided professional instructors for workshops and seminars to promote education and economic development within our area. Wheatland RC&D and Pioneer Technology have produced three "Women in Agriculture" conferences covering six counties. PTC assisted in planning and instructing at the statewide Women in Ag and Small Business Seminars. PTC’s Agricultural Business Management program offers one-on-one assistance for farming families while their Small Business Management program offers one-on-one business assistance.
Pioneer Technology Center is effectively represented in Wheatland’s Council by Jeff Lockett who currently serves as Chairman. Under Jeff’s leadership, the Council has accomplished over 100 projects that secured the needed funding, education and training to start-up or enhance businesses, student learning, infrastructure and general economic development in its ten-county region.
Wheatland RC&D is sponsoring an "Outreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers" program targeting Native American farmers. Pioneer Technology Center has hosted the first outreach program in this series with great participation by the local Native American tribes.
In the spirit of teamwork, PTC has expanded education and training opportunities through three new partnerships. The Automobile Youth Educational System (AYES), the Manufacturing Education Training System (METS), and the Advanced Construction Training System (ACTS) offer advanced educational opportunities for students and business and industry. Local businesses participating in the program are providing internship opportunities for both high school and adult students.
Emphasizing innovation, Pioneer Tech’s "skills on wheels" mobile training lab is equipped with a variety of equipment and integrated workstations. PTC partnered with Wheatland on this program as well as the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, the Ponca City Development Authority and local businesses to provide training for students that will give them knowledge of the available jobs and training required to secure bright futures in the manufacturing world.
The most important factor in building an economically sound rural area is quality jobs that provide a livable wage. PTC assists the effort with various programs through career programs and Business and Industry Services (BIS) center. Pioneer Technology Center is dedicated to enhancing lives and securing futures by creating an educational environment that inspires individuals to develop the skills necessary to be a success. PTC has a network of experts and business specialists that provide a full range of educational and training programs to meet the needs of local business and industry. These experts are an invaluable source of information and are available, as needed, for any of the Wheatland sponsored seminars. "The services provided at Pioneer Tech strengthen Oklahoma’s economy."