Engineering and Public Works Leaders Convene Oklahoma Workforce Roundtable
Read how ACEC, ACEC Oklahoma, APWA and ASCE addressed the workforce shortage with the Oklahoma Workforce Commission
Yesterday, the Engineering and Public Works Roadshow hosted an event in Oklahoma City with the Oklahoma Workforce Commission. The event brought together engineering and public works leaders from across the state to discuss recruiting, training, and retaining Oklahoma’s future workforce.
“This roundtable in Oklahoma allows us to share both the real-world needs of the industry and our ideas to align education with career pathways in these high-demand STEM fields,” said Molly Tuttle, director of workforce development at ACEC. “What happens locally can inspire progress everywhere.”
“Oklahoma recognizes that we’re facing challenges in the engineering and public works industries — from retirement to recruitment,” said Eric Taylor with Guernsey. “By rethinking how we engage students, upskill professionals, and diversify talent pipelines, we’re preparing for a stronger, more resilient industry.”
“This roundtable was an important step in ensuring our industry continues to attract and empower the next generation of engineers and discuss our vision for the engineering industry of the future,” said Michael Graves with Garver. He continued, “Oklahoma’s engineering community is taking bold steps to ensure our firms have the skilled people they need to build what’s next.”
Panelists shared best practices in mentoring, career development, and recruitment initiatives, while emphasizing the role of statewide partnerships in expanding access to engineering and public works careers. The session also highlighted national efforts to champion workforce development, including scholarships, leadership programs, and advocacy for STEM education funding.
Mike Thompson with ACEC OKLAHOMA stated, “This is just the beginning of the work we need to accomplish to meet the future demands of the critically important engineering workforce for Oklahoma. ACEC looks forward to the continued efforts with partners to find solutions to present to the legislature and governor.”
This roadshow stop follows the release of new, original research from the ACEC Research Institute, focused on The Workforce of The Future. The report draws on national data, in-depth interviews, and a survey of more than 2,000 engineers, students, and engineering firm leaders. The report provides an integrated view of the current and future talent landscape. This comprehensive analysis equips engineering leaders with actionable insights to strengthen their pipelines, modernize workplace culture, and position their firms for long-term success in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
The Oklahoma Workforce Commission industry roundtable is part of the Engineering and Public Works Roadshow, which highlights engineering projects and sparks discussions nationwide to facilitate conversation and collaboration on key industry issues.
The Engineering and Public Works Roadshow travels the country to elevate the role of engineering and public works in daily life, increase public awareness of infrastructure investment, and inspire future professionals. With more than 20 stops completed and more scheduled through 2026, the Roadshow is building a national narrative around the value of infrastructure and the people who deliver it.
