The Oklahoman has recognized Meridian Technology Center as a Top Workplace in Oklahoma for the sixth consecutive year.

Meridian was second on the mid-sized companies list this year and also received special recognition for Direction – employees shared that they believe Meridian is going in the right direction.

“It’s an honor to be selected as one of Oklahoma’s Top Workplaces,” said Superintendent/CEO Dr. Douglas R. Major. “We don’t participate in this to win the award, although that is nice. We participate to hear from our employees about what’s going well at Meridian, and also what needs strengthened so that we continue to make this a great place for them to work.”

The Top Workplaces designations are based solely on employee feedback. Meridian employees completed a survey that was created by WorkplaceDynamics, LLP, a leading research firm on organizational health and employee engagement. Employees were asked to evaluate the company’s direction, execution of ideas, connectedness to the organization, role satisfaction, supervision and employee benefits. The Top Workplace designation is based on survey outcomes.

Meridian uses feedback from the survey to implement new ideas and processes to help strengthen the workplace. Comments from the previous year’s survey resulted in the creation of a Values U professional development series training for employees. Feedback also resulted in the restructuring of meeting schedules and further collaboration between departments within Meridian.

Meridian’s status as a Top Workplace shows in the longevity of its staff, many of whom have been working there for a decade or two. “I’ve been a part of the Meridian family for 22 years,” said Sandy Colasacco, Director of First Impressions. As the person who receives all incoming calls for the organization and welcomes guests at the entrance, she is able to experience every corner of Meridian in some way.

“I feel the key to success in your career is that you must believe in what you do each day – I believe in Meridian and what Meridian stands for. My passion for Meridian comes from seeing the students that have found their pathway to success through the guidance and encouragement of our wonderful instructors and staff,” said Colasacco.

It isn’t just longtime staff members who express their appreciation for Meridian as a workplace. Doug Jones, a Health Careers Instructor, said, “I would describe Meridian as a large and very caring family. We constantly come together and help each other out whenever needed.”

He described how other instructors and teams have rallied around him to help find resources and support for his students and their needs, such as ensuring a student was able to receive his required CPR certification renewal.

As well as having 856 students enrolled in full-time career training programs, last year Meridian served 402 existing businesses, offered 301 personal and professional development courses and had 12,602 enrollments in business and industry services courses. The Center for Business Development is a business incubator that serves 16 companies with an aggregated number of 59 employees. Graduates create jobs, revitalize communities and commercialize new technologies.
Employees and students are committed to supporting the local community. The class of 2019 contributed more than 4,000 community service hours during their time at Tech. Staff members are encouraged to serve on local boards and professional organizations, and many do so.

Meridian Technology Center has been a driver of economic development since 1975. With a mission to educate, enrich lives and secure economic futures, Meridian offers full-time career training programs, short courses, Business and Industry services and entrepreneurial support to residents from the Agra, Carney, Glencoe, Guthrie, Morrison, Mulhall-Orlando, Pawnee, Perkins-Tryon, Perry and Stillwater school districts. Meridian is one of 29 schools within Oklahoma’s CareerTech system.

For more information about Meridian’s customized education and training for individuals, industries or communities, visit www.meridiantech.edu or contact us at (405) 377-3333 or toll-free at (888) 607-2509.

To learn more about the other companies that received the Top Workplaces designation visit newsok.com.