Oklahoma State System of Higher Education Chancellor Sean Burrage welcomed educational and workforce leaders at Tulsa Tech to map talent pipelines and establish a local steering committee for the landmark primary aluminum project

TULSA, Okla., Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, in partnership with Tulsa Innovation Labs, hosted a workforce development workshop at the Tulsa Tech Lemley Learning Center last week. The event convened local higher education, career tech, high school career counselors, workforce and community leaders to map talent pipelines, align curriculum and build clear employment pathways in support of the company’s proposed state-of-the-art aluminum facility at the Tulsa Port of Inola.

Click here to view photos and videos from the workshop.

Chancellor Sean Burrage of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education welcomed attendees to open the workshop, emphasizing the critical role of the state’s educational institutions in preparing local talent for one of the largest economic development projects in Oklahoma history.

“We are standing on the threshold of a generational transformation,” said Chancellor Sean Burrage. “Oklahoma Primary Aluminum is bringing an entirely new industry to our state, building the first primary aluminum facility in the United States since 1980. As educators and workforce leaders, our mission is to ensure Oklahomans are prepared, qualified and first in line for these life-changing career pathways.”

Once operational, the 750,000-metric-ton facility will double current domestic primary aluminum production capacity, while creating 1,000 permanent direct jobs with average annual compensation of approximately $100,000. The workshop served as a critical operational milestone to ensure northeast Oklahoma’s workforce is prepared to lead the world’s most modern primary aluminum production facility. Discussions focused on modern aluminum manufacturing, projected job opportunities, career pathways and ways to align existing regional training programs with the facility’s workforce needs, including:

• Industry Overview: Local leaders were educated on modern primary aluminum manufacturing, including advanced, best-in-class technology and the full scope of industry operations and corporate roles.
• Economic Multiplier: Attendees learned how OPA’s direct jobs were part of a broader ecosystem expected to generate an average of 7,000 annual Oklahoma jobs across upstream and downstream suppliers, engineering partners and construction.
• Job Family Deep-Dives: Technical review sessions covered diverse operational areas, from accounting, environmental and safety roles to technicians, operators and specialized metallurgists.
• Targeted Career Pathways: Talent pipelines were explored for secondary students, current regional workers and university and graduate-level candidates.
• Gap Analysis: Existing regional training programs, credentials and equipment were mapped against aluminum production requirements to identify opportunities for customized curriculum development.

“This workshop is a prime example of how our region comes together to turn transformative economic opportunities into real, lasting prosperity for local communities,” said Kian Kamas, Interim Managing Director of Tulsa Innovation Labs. “By bringing together industry leaders, higher education and career tech institutions early in the process, we are ensuring that northeast Oklahoma builds a highly skilled talent pipeline ready to power the nation’s most modern advanced manufacturing ecosystem.”

Approximately 50 participants representing more than 12 academic and vocational institutions from northeast Oklahoma attended, along with workforce partners Madison Strategies Group and Good Jobs Initiative. The workshop concluded with the formation of a local steering committee and a schedule for ongoing discussions.

“Building the most modern primary aluminum facility in the country requires an equally forward-thinking workforce strategy,” said Ziad Fares, Project Director for Oklahoma Primary Aluminum. “Although this is a new industry for the state, our long-term ambition is that every job is taken by an Oklahoman. We are grateful for our partnership with Tulsa Innovation Labs and our regional education partners, which allows us to build clear, accessible pathways for Oklahomans to secure high-paying, lifelong careers in advanced manufacturing.”

About Tulsa Innovation Labs

Tulsa Innovation Labs is a tech-led economic development organization securing Tulsa’s leadership in industries of the future and ensuring Tulsa remains a vibrant and influential hub of job creation and community engagement. They work with partners to help strengthen the region’s key industries through programs and initiatives that catalyze capital and commercialization, talent and workforce, and place and infrastructure.

About Oklahoma Primary Aluminum

Oklahoma Primary Aluminum is a joint venture between Emirates Global Aluminium, the world’s largest producer of premium aluminum, and Century Aluminum Company, the largest producer of primary aluminum in the United States. The company is planning a state-of-the-art primary aluminum production facility at the Tulsa Port of Inola in Rogers County, Oklahoma. Once operational, the facility is expected to produce 750,000 metric tons of primary aluminum annually once it starts production, more than doubling current U.S. primary aluminum production capacity while creating approximately 1,000 permanent jobs and thousands of construction jobs. The project represents a significant investment in strengthening America’s domestic aluminum supply chain, supporting U.S. manufacturing, and advancing long-term economic growth. Learn more at oklahomaprimaryaluminum.com.

Contact: Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, contact@oklahomaprimaryaluminum.com

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SOURCE Oklahoma Primary Aluminum