Altus, OK — Southwest Technology Center (Southwest Tech) recently welcomed Wing Commander Colonel Jeff Marshall and his leadership team from Altus Air Force Base (AFB) for an in-depth briefing and campus tour designed to highlight current and potential collaboration opportunities. The event showcased how Southwest Tech’s educational resources and workforce training programs can support the diverse needs and the mission of Altus AFB.
The briefing, led by Southwest Tech’s CEO/Superintendent Dale Latham, provided an overview of the Oklahoma Career Tech system and emphasized the wide array of technical education programs Southwest Tech offers. Jill Miller (Lazenby), Marketing and Communications Director at Southwest Tech, discussed in detail the services available to meet local and regional workforce needs. Attendees learned about Southwest Tech’s commitment to addressing skill gaps and training highly qualified professionals through hands-on education.
After the briefing, the Altus AFB group embarked on a comprehensive campus tour to experience Southwest Tech’s educational environment firsthand. The tour concluded at Hangar 33, home to Southwest Tech’s innovative Aviation Maintenance program. This program, known as “Grow Your Own Mechanic,” was introduced decades ago during a similar annual briefing with Altus AFB, originally in response to the base’s transition to a civilian workforce in aircraft maintenance. Since then, the program has grown significantly and now stands as a model of successful partnership and talent cultivation in Southwest Oklahoma.
The visit highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts between Southwest Tech and Altus AFB in advancing local workforce development and providing tailored training solutions to meet the specific demands of the base. Both Southwest Tech and Altus AFB leaders view this collaboration as vital to supporting and strengthening the community and regional economy.
For more information on programs and partnership opportunities at Southwest Tech, please contact:
Jill Miller (Lazenby)
Marketing and Communications Director
Southwest Technology Center
Phone:580-477-2250
Email: jlazenby@swtech.edu
About Southwest Technology Center
Southwest Technology Center, a leader in career and technical education, provides high-quality, hands-on training to prepare students for today’s competitive workforce. Partnering with industry leaders, Southwest Tech is committed to bridging skills gaps and supporting economic development across Oklahoma.
Photographed:
(Left to Right) Colonel Adam Rosado, CMSgt Justin Brundage, Michelle Brundage, Brenna Marshall, Colonel Jeff Marshall, and Dale Latham.