High Plains Technology Center's industry relationships are reaching well beyond northwest Oklahoma, connecting the region's workforce development efforts with international conversations about energy, environmental policy and the future of industry.
Taylor Burnett, HPTC's Executive Director of Postsecondary and Strategic Development, recently participated in the Harvard Kennedy School's Workshop on the Analysis and Management of Energy and Environmental Policy, held October 5–9 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The weeklong program, conducted through the Harvard Environmental Economics Program in collaboration with the Enel Foundation, brought together 19 participants from across the world. Participants were based in Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Chile, Colombia, Brazil and the United States, representing three continents. Only two participants were listed as representing the United States.
"It's pretty remarkable when you stop and think about it," Burnett said. "We're a technology center in Woodward, Oklahoma, serving rural communities, and yet we're having conversations with people from around the world about the work we're doing. People in Italy and Brazil now know about High Plains Technology Center and the opportunities we're creating here. That's something our communities and our board should be proud of."
The workshop featured discussions led by Harvard and other experts examining energy reliability, affordability, environmental policy, electricity infrastructure and emerging technologies.
One presentation that particularly stood out to Burnett was led by Andy Sun, who demonstrated a software model examining opportunities to increase the usable capacity of the existing electrical grid.
"Watching Andy Sun demonstrate his grid infrastructure model in person was awe-inspiring," Burnett said. "We're constantly talking about the need for additional electricity generation and transmission, but his presentation showed how important it is to understand the capabilities and limitations of the infrastructure we already have. It was incredible to see what that technology can reveal."
Another significant takeaway was discovering how much the challenges facing northwest Oklahoma resemble those in other parts of the world.
"They're dealing with growing energy demand, aging infrastructure, environmental concerns, workforce shortages and the need to keep energy affordable and reliable," Burnett said. "The political environments and approaches may be different, but the underlying challenges aren't that different from ours. That was one of the most interesting things I took away from the entire week."
The discussions reinforced the importance of workforce development as energy systems and technologies continue to evolve. Burnett also had opportunities to share HPTC's programs, industry partnerships and workforce initiatives with participants involved in international energy development, finance and government policy.
"One of the things I was most proud of was getting to talk about our staff and the work they do every day," Burnett said. "Several participants were genuinely surprised by the scope of what we're accomplishing at a rural technology center. To come away from this experience knowing that High Plains Technology Center is relevant in conversations taking place around the world is pure gold. And that's a direct reflection of our incredible staff. They're the ones doing the work, building the programs, developing the relationships and making things happen every single day. I just had the privilege of telling our story."
The experience also provided an opportunity to strengthen international relationships, including connections with professionals associated with Enel's global operations. Burnett credited the Enel Foundation partnership, HPTC Superintendent Barclay Holt and the HPTC Board of Education for supporting opportunities that extend beyond the technology center's five-county district.
"These opportunities don't happen by accident," Burnett said. "Our board has supported a vision that allows HPTC to build relationships far beyond our district. Those relationships bring new ideas and opportunities that can ultimately benefit our students, employers and communities."
Burnett said the experience exposed him to perspectives different from his own while reinforcing the importance of understanding challenges beyond northwest Oklahoma.
"I certainly didn't come home having changed all my beliefs about energy," Burnett said. "But I came home asking some different questions and with a better understanding of why people in other parts of the world approach these issues the way they do."
For HPTC, the experience reinforced a mission that remains rooted in northwest Oklahoma: preparing people for meaningful careers while helping local industries remain competitive.
"At the end of the day, our goal is still to train and retain talent in northwest Oklahoma," Burnett said. "But to do that well, we have to understand what's happening beyond northwest Oklahoma. It's encouraging to realize that what we're doing here is part of a much larger conversation — and that our voice belongs in it."
