CareerTech Champions
Each year, thousands of Oklahomans reap the benefits provided by Career and Technology Education. CareerTech Champions tell the story of how individuals apply learning to become successful employees, entrepreneurs and leaders in business organizations.
Ethan Tucker – Red River Technology Center
Home-school student does double-duty at Red River Technology Center.
THEN: A home-school student growing up on his grandparents’ farm. Ethan Tucker never received a diploma, and when he decided to work outside the farm, his options were limited. At Red River Technology Center, he signed up for high school equivalency classes, at the same time enrolling in Red River’s HVAC program. He went half days to HSE classes, and the other half of the day he studied HVAC.
“I chose HVAC because there’s a constant need for heating, and in Oklahoma there’s an even greater need for cooling experts,” Ethan said.
Ethan said at Red River, he:
- Earned his HSE diploma.
- Learned fundamentals of electrical skills.
- Gained mechanical troubleshooting skills related to heating and air conditioning.
- Won both state and national titles at SkillsUSA competitions.
“I’m a competitive guy,” he said, “and SkillsUSA allowed me to compete while working on my troubleshooting skills.”
NOW: Ethan is an industrial maintenance technician for Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Lawton, Oklahoma.
“SkillsUSA is probably the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Ethan Tucker, industrial maintenance technician