Oklahoma governor launches statewide “Oklahoma Works” tour

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Governor Mary Fallin has scheduled a series of meetings across the state with business leaders, education professionals and others to support the "Oklahoma Works" education and workforce initiative launched earlier this year.

The initiative is a prosperity-boosting project that seeks to increase educational attainment and match skilled workers with rewarding careers. Fallin announced the initiative in her State of the State address in February.

Many Oklahoma businesses say they can’t find the workers they need to grow and expand because of a workforce "skills gap," or a lack of available and appropriately skilled employees. Oklahoma Works is focused on closing that skills gap by facilitating innovative local partnerships between businesses and educational institutions that help students build work-skills.

Five regional meetings have already been scheduled and more will be announced.