OKLAHOMA CITY (May 4, 2023) – Delaware Resource Group of Oklahoma LLC was among honorees recognized on April 27 at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s 2023 Business Partnerships Excellence Awards ceremony.
Twenty-seven partnerships between businesses and higher education institutions were honored for their collaborations to improve workforce development in the state.
“Our colleges and universities continue collaborating successfully with public, private and nonprofit partners to strengthen economic and workforce development across Oklahoma,” said Allison Garrett, chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. “Producing more workforce-ready graduates by increasing communication with employers and connecting students to the workforce sooner is a fundamental goal of Blueprint 2030, the State Regents’ new strategic plan for public higher education. We are proud to recognize these partnerships and their positive impact on Oklahoma businesses and communities.”
Each higher education institution in the state is permitted to recognize one partnership; rarely is the same company recognized by more than one institution for this prestigious award. DRG received recognition for its partnerships with Rose State College and Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU).
“We thank the Oklahoma Regents for this incredible recognition from two outstanding higher education institutions at the same time. As a proud Oklahoma-based business, it’s only natural we partner with superior college and universities to help our businesses grow,” said DRG Executive Vice President and President of Commercial Entities Philip Busey Jr. “These two institutions help DRG, the aerospace and defense industry and businesses across Oklahoma tremendously, and we are grateful for the recognition.”
In 2022, DRG approached Rose State with time-sensitive U.S. Department of Defense cybersecurity requirement needs. DRG employed technicians and IT specialists who were required to obtain a baseline IT certification. Rose State tailored curriculum for DRG’s IT specialists to secure their baseline certification. As a result, DRG program managers maintained an operational schedule and secure certification of personnel. The success of this initiative has opened the door for additional opportunities, including continuing education, credentialing, and other industry-related certifications.
In addition, DRG received an award for its partnership with Southwestern Oklahoma State University to launch its aerospace and defense workforce initiative. The initiative promotes current students and degrees as well as the university’s rich aerospace and defense programs.
“We’re thrilled to launch this initiative alongside our esteemed partners and longtime benefactors at DRG,” said SWOSU President Dr. Diana Lovell. “We know just how beneficial our degrees are to students striving to excel in aerospace and defense, and we want to ensure that prospective students and employers from around the world are just as aware.”
DRG supports SWOSU in several different ways, including serving as a founding sponsor and contributor to its Aerospace and Defense Workforce Development Program. DRG leadership assisted SWOSU in the creation of the program that launched in early 2022 alongside the dedication of the Lt. General Thomas P. Stafford Archives. The program has put SWOSU at the forefront among Oklahoma universities as a leader within the aerospace and defense industry. The program helps the university share its rich history supporting the industry that went largely unnoticed until DRG teamed with SWOSU leadership to help highlight the program’s growth and increased potential. Since launching, the university has successfully expanded its partnerships with aerospace and defense companies and federal agencies. This has helped SWOSU continue to showcase the university’s offerings and support to industry within Oklahoma. DRG leadership believes the Oklahoma aerospace and defense industry thrives when universities are supplying local talent to the industry.
Founded in 2002 in Oklahoma City, DRG has become a leading global training service contractor specializing in the aerospace defense industry. DRG is owned and operated by the Busey family.
