What is an American Job Center?

Free walk-in career center funded by the US Department of Labor. Services include job search help, resume writing, interview practice, computer access, WIOA training grants, and direct employer connections. Nearly 2,400 centers nationwide — find yours at careeronestop.org.

Can I get help if I have a record?

Yes. Many states have reentry employment programs; the Center for Employment Opportunities runs transitional jobs in 30+ cities. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit incentivizes employers to hire formerly-incarcerated workers. Fair Chance laws in many states restrict early background checks.

What's an apprenticeship?

Paid on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction leading to a journey-level credential. Common in trades (electrician, plumber, carpenter, HVAC) but expanding into healthcare, IT, and finance. Earn while you learn — no student debt. Find programs at apprenticeship.gov.

What if I'm on unemployment?

You likely qualify for free reemployment services through your American Job Center and for WIOA-funded training while receiving benefits. Dislocated worker services are priority for anyone laid off — including severance, retraining, and relocation support.

Job & Career in Oklahoma

15 verified resources.

About Job & Career for Fathers

Job and career resources for fathers run through the American Job Center (AJC) network — there are roughly 2,400 physical locations nationwide, every one of which offers free services. AJCs provide job search assistance, resume and interview help, WIOA-funded training (often up to

0,000+ in tuition and fees for in-demand occupations), and connections to apprenticeships. Every state has a workforce agency that oversees unemployment insurance, labor market information, and rapid response services for laid-off workers. Registered Apprenticeship programs pay workers while they train for skilled trades (electrician, plumber, HVAC, heavy equipment, and increasingly healthcare and IT). For formerly incarcerated fathers, state Department of Labor reentry programs and organizations like the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provide transitional jobs and placement. This directory includes AJCs, workforce boards, apprenticeship programs, and reentry services.

Job & Career in Oklahoma

Oklahoma district courts hear family matters in each of its 77 counties. The Oklahoma Child Support Services division operates under DHS. Oklahoma City and Tulsa dominate, with Norman, Broken Arrow, and Edmond rounding out the major cities. Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Indian Legal Services provide civil legal aid statewide.

15 Resources

1. Oklahoma Works – Workforce Centers — Free

Statewide network of American Job Center workforce offices offering free career counseling, resume help, job search assistance, training referrals, and veteran priority-of-service. Fathers can visit any Oklahoma Works center for walk-in help or attend job-seeker workshops. Call the N Portland Avenue office in OKC or visit oklahomaworks.gov to find a center near you. All workforce center services are free to eligible job seekers.

405-557-7100 · 900 N Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73107 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Oklahoma Employment Security Commission — Free

State agency administering unemployment insurance, job listings, labor market information, and workforce programs across Oklahoma. Fathers can apply for unemployment benefits online, post resumes, and search job listings through OKJobMatch. Call the N Lincoln Boulevard office in OKC for claim questions and bring photo ID, Social Security card, and employer information for the past 18 months when filing a new unemployment claim.

405-557-7100 · 2401 N Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma — Free

Provides free job training, placement, and career development services for Oklahomans facing employment barriers, including fathers with criminal records, disabilities, or limited work history. Services include computer training, resume help, and interview coaching. Call the S Blackwelder Avenue office in OKC or visit the website for program information. Bring photo ID, Social Security card, and resume or work history to intake appointments.

405-235-1811 · 316 S Blackwelder Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73108 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Workforce Tulsa — Free

Local workforce development board overseeing American Job Center services across the Tulsa metro with free career counseling, resume help, job search assistance, and training referrals for adults, dislocated workers, and youth. Fathers can walk in for services or attend hiring events and workshops. Call the S Detroit Avenue office for current schedules. All workforce services are free to eligible job seekers. Bring photo ID and resume when available.

918-595-8400 · 907 S Detroit Ave #700, Tulsa, OK 74120 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

5. Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services — Free

State agency providing free vocational rehabilitation, job training, disability determination, and independent living services for Oklahomans with disabilities. Father workers with disabilities can apply for services leading to employment, including job coaching, assistive technology, and school-to-work transition. Call the NW 58th Street office in OKC for intake and bring photo ID, medical documentation of disability, and any work history to the first appointment.

405-951-3400 · 3535 NW 58th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73112 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Community Action Project – Employment Tulsa — Free

CAP Tulsa offers workforce development, career coaching, and job training programs for parents of young children in the Tulsa area, paired with Early Head Start and Head Start services. Fathers enrolled in family programs can access integrated career services. Call the S Houston Avenue office for intake and bring photo ID, Social Security card, income documentation, and children's birth certificates to the enrollment appointment.

918-382-3200 · 717 S Houston Ave, Tulsa, OK 74127 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board — Free

Local workforce board overseeing American Job Center services across the greater Oklahoma City metro with career counseling, resume help, job search assistance, and training referrals for adults, dislocated workers, and youth. Fathers can walk in for services or attend hiring events and workshops. Call the N Santa Fe Avenue office for locations and schedules. Services are free to eligible job seekers. Bring photo ID and any resume.

405-622-6220 · 3813 N Santa Fe Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73118 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Oklahoma CareerTech – Adult Training — Paid

Oklahoma CareerTech system delivers hands-on career and technical training for adults through 29 technology center districts statewide, with programs in health careers, trades, IT, and industrial technology. Fathers can enroll in short-term and long-term training programs, many with financial aid, military benefits, or employer-sponsored options. Call the W 7th Avenue office in Stillwater or visit the website for the nearest center and program offerings.

405-377-2000 · 1500 W 7th Ave, Stillwater, OK 74074 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Francis Tuttle Technology Center – OKC — Paid

CareerTech campus serving the Oklahoma City metro with career and technical training for adults in health careers, trades, IT, manufacturing, and business. Fathers can enroll in short-term certificates and long-term programs, many with financial aid, veteran benefits, and employer-sponsored options. Call the N Rockwell Avenue campus or visit the website for current program offerings, open house events, and tuition details by program.

405-717-7799 · 12777 N Rockwell Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73142 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Tulsa Technology Center — Paid

CareerTech campus serving the Tulsa metro with hands-on career and technical training for adults in health careers, trades, IT, manufacturing, and business. Fathers can enroll in short-term certificates and long-term programs with financial aid, veteran benefits, and employer partnerships available. Call the S Memorial Drive campus or visit tulsatech.edu for current program offerings, open houses, and tuition details by program and residency status.

918-828-5000 · 3420 S Memorial Dr, Tulsa, OK 74145 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Pioneer Library System – Career Services — Free

Pioneer Library System's branches across Cleveland, Pottawatomie, and McClain counties offer free job search help, resume workshops, computer and internet access, and career database subscriptions. Fathers can walk into any branch to use computers, attend classes, and get help preparing applications. Call the Norman Center Court office for schedules of upcoming career workshops. A library card is free for Oklahoma residents and opens full access.

405-801-4500 · 300 Norman Center Ct, Norman, OK 73072 · Mon-Sat 9am-9pm · Visit Website

12. Tulsa City-County Library – Career Hub — Free

Tulsa City-County Library offers free career resources at branches across Tulsa County, including job search computers, resume assistance, interview practice rooms, and career database subscriptions. Fathers can attend free workshops on resume writing, LinkedIn, and interview skills. Call the Civic Center central library or visit tulsalibrary.org for current class schedules. A library card is free for Tulsa County residents and opens full digital access.

918-549-7323 · 400 Civic Center, Tulsa, OK 74103 · Mon-Sat 9am-9pm · Visit Website

13. Cherokee Nation Career Services — Free

Cherokee Nation Career Services provides employment training, job placement, on-the-job training, and workforce programs for enrolled Cherokee citizens across northeast Oklahoma. Services are free for eligible citizens. Fathers can apply at the Tahlequah office for programs including adult education, higher education support, and specific trades training. Bring tribal citizenship documentation, photo ID, Social Security card, and any work history to the intake appointment.

918-453-5000 · Tahlequah, OK 74464 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

14. Great Plains Technology Center – Lawton — Paid

CareerTech campus serving southwest Oklahoma including Lawton and Fort Sill with hands-on career and technical training for adults in health careers, trades, IT, and industrial technology. Fathers, including active duty and military spouses, can enroll in short-term certificates and long-term programs with financial aid, veteran benefits, and employer partnerships available. Call the SW Lee Boulevard campus or visit the website for program offerings and tuition.

580-355-6371 · 4500 SW Lee Blvd, Lawton, OK 73505 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

15. Meridian Technology Center – Stillwater — Paid

CareerTech campus in Stillwater serving Payne, Noble, Pawnee, and Logan counties with hands-on training for adults in health careers, trades, IT, business, and manufacturing. Fathers can enroll in short-term certificates and long-term programs with financial aid, veteran benefits, and employer partnerships available. Call the S Sangre Road campus or visit meridiantech.edu for current program offerings, open house events, and tuition details by program.

405-377-3333 · 1312 S Sangre Rd, Stillwater, OK 74074 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

Job & Career — Common Questions

What is an American Job Center?: Free walk-in career center funded by the US Department of Labor. Services include job search help, resume writing, interview practice, computer access, WIOA training grants, and direct employer connections. Nearly 2,400 centers nationwide — find yours at careeronestop.org.
Can I get help if I have a record?: Yes. Many states have reentry employment programs; the Center for Employment Opportunities runs transitional jobs in 30+ cities. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit incentivizes employers to hire formerly-incarcerated workers. Fair Chance laws in many states restrict early background checks.
What's an apprenticeship?: Paid on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction leading to a journey-level credential. Common in trades (electrician, plumber, carpenter, HVAC) but expanding into healthcare, IT, and finance. Earn while you learn — no student debt. Find programs at apprenticeship.gov.
What if I'm on unemployment?: You likely qualify for free reemployment services through your American Job Center and for WIOA-funded training while receiving benefits. Dislocated worker services are priority for anyone laid off — including severance, retraining, and relocation support.