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News from the Oklahoma National Guard

NEWS | Feb. 4, 2025

Oklahoma Military Department announces launch of Sooner Job ChalleNGe

By Spc. Danielle Rayon

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma Military Department’s Sooner Job ChalleNGe program is officially underway as students begin classes.

The Sooner Job ChalleNGe Program is an optional next step for graduates of the Thunderbird Challenge Program where graduates will have the opportunity to further their success through career readiness and vocational training at Metro Technology Center in Oklahoma City.
Students, or “associates” enrolled in the Oklahoma Military Department’s Sooner Job ChalleNGe in-process at the program’s campus in Oklahoma City, Jan. 28, 2025. The Sooner Job ChalleNGe Program is an optional next step for graduates of the Thunderbird Challenge Program where they will have the opportunity to further their success through career readiness and vocational training at Metro Technology Center in Oklahoma City. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)
SLIDESHOW | 2 images | 250127-Z-IN656-1004 Students, or “associates” enrolled in the Oklahoma Military Department’s Sooner Job ChalleNGe in-process at the program’s campus in Oklahoma City, Jan. 28, 2025. The Sooner Job ChalleNGe Program is an optional next step for graduates of the Thunderbird Challenge Program where they will have the opportunity to further their success through career readiness and vocational training at Metro Technology Center in Oklahoma City. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

“Sooner Job Challenge is a transformative educational opportunity for graduates of Thunderbird Youth Challenge to gain skills, connect with high-demand industries, and build a stronger future for themselves and our state,” said Rosemary Masters, director of SJC. “Together we are creating pathways to success.”

The optional five-month residential program will include career pathways in welding, culinary arts, and information technology & cybersecurity, with potentially more career pathways opening as the program grows.

The students, known as “associates”, will develop Graduate Action Plans while staff assists them in choosing which training and certifications to complete outside of their vocational program to maximize their skills and enhance their resumes. Each cadet will complete tasks that will help lead to placement by graduation, whether in jobs, school, or the military.

For more information about Sooner Job ChalleNGe, visit https://ok.ng.mil/soonerjobchallenge/
Video by Spc. Cambrie Cannon, Sgt. Haden Tolbert
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