Ponca City, OK---Mertz Manufacturing will be honored for its contributions to the development, promotion, and progress of Oklahoma’s Technology Center system during the 40th Annual Oklahoma Career and Technology Education summer conference scheduled for August 1-3, 2007 at the Tulsa Convention Center.

The Partners for Progress award recognizes businesses and industries which have demonstrated their commitment to CareerTech education in a variety of ways including cooperative programs, community involvement and student sponsorships, said Dr. Doug Major, superintendent/CEO of Pioneer Technology Center.

Mertz Manufacturing partnered with Pioneer Technology Center to offer a unique welding program designed to help meet the need for trained welders. Due to a shortage of welders and a growth in the industry, the program has truly become a successful endeavor for both Mertz Manufacturing and Pioneer Technology Center.

Steven Ballinger, President and COO of Mertz Manufacturing, says the result of the Advanced Welding Institute program and partnership has allowed his company an opportunity to get more products through and completed in a timely manner.

In addition to this partnership, Mertz employees have been active members of the Manufacturing Education Training Systems (METS) partnership at Pioneer Technology Center. This includes serving on the business and education council to provide guidance and counsel on the school's curriculum and overall operation, providing non-paid job shadowing opportunities, sponsoring students for a paid summer internship and supporting mentor training at the factory.

For more information on Pioneer Technology Center’s partnership with Mertz Manufacturing, call 580-718-4350.