National Standard has been named a Partner in Progress award winner by the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education.

This award honors industry partners who work one-on-one with technology center districts. Each partner is recognized for their commitment to work with their technology center and students.

National Standard and Meridian Technology Center have a long history of partnering for training and developing National Standard team members. Over the past year, this partnership has strengthened. While safety training has historically been the primary connection with National Standard, company leadership has included the professional development of staff at all levels throughout the organization.

In addition to safety and industrial training that benefits production line staff, the company’s leadership team has invested in the overall well-being of all of their employees.

“The relationship between National Standard and Meridian is so much more than employee training. National Standard is a partner in every sense of the word,” said Levi Valdois, Executive Director of Workforce and Economic Development at Meridian Technology Center. “National Standard values the partnership with the local technology center and advocates for the role career and technical education plays in keeping the industry and area communities strong.”

A new program that National Standard has partnered with Meridian for is the launching of an Industrial Maintenance non-registered apprenticeship program where their team members will attend one of Meridian’s career training programs during the workday, two days a week.

“It is clear that National Standard is committed to investing in its employees’ personal and professional development.,” Valdois said. “We are honored to recognize them for their continued partnership.”

National Standard has also grown their involvement with Meridian’s Lunchtime Learning series and the Stillwater Area Human Resources Association, which brings its voice and perspective to the local workforce development conversation. In addition, National Standard is an active member of Stillwater Chamber activities and events, leading to stronger relationships with other businesses and business leaders in the Stillwater community.

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.

For more information or to enroll visit www.meridiantech.edu or contact a career counselor by phone at (405) 377-3333 or toll-free at (888) 607-2509.