A local professor discussed the importance of an educated workforce Sept. 19 at the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s Manufacturers’ Council meeting at OSU-Tulsa.

 Gina Noble, interim director of the College of Professional Studies at OSU-Tulsa, said the college focuses on working adults, offering bachelor’s degrees in organizational leadership, public safety and healthcare administration.

 “We are here for workforce development,” said Noble, speaking to a crowd of about 44. “That’s why we were created…Everybody needs up-skilling. If we’re not up-skilling, we’re not moving forward.”

 Northeast Oklahoma is home to about 166,000 people who have begun seeking – but haven’t obtained – a bachelor’s degree, Noble said.

 “We were created with that statistic in mind,” she said. “…I want to work with your business. I want to help you. OSU wants to help you. Bottom line, we think we can deliver the best product.”

 Also at the meeting, AAON’s Jennifer Overmeyer, chair of the Manufacturers’ Council, moderated a discussion on the challenges facing local manufacturers.

 One manufacturing leader said his company is struggling to find machinists, adding that it currently is outsourcing 60% of its machining work.

 Other topics included how to improve communications with a multi-generational workforce and how to replace the institutional knowledge void left by retirees.

 The meeting was sponsored by Arvest Bank. The next Manufacturers’ Council meeting is scheduled for Nov. 14 at AAON.