Oklahoma Primary Aluminum to Hire 1,000 for Inola Smelter

The project at the Port of Inola will create thousands of jobs and new educational programs across Oklahoma.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Jobs — General

Isometric editorial illustration of a heavy industrial aluminum ingot in a clean warehouse setting, representing regional economic development. — Oklahoma Primary Aluminum plans to hire 1,000 employees for a new aluminum smelter at the Port of Inola in Oklahoma. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Oklahoma Primary Aluminum plans to hire 1,000 employees for a new smelter at the Port of Inola, with groundbreaking scheduled for next year. U.S. Aluminum also intends to build a facility at the same port, adding another 200 jobs to the regional workforce.

Why it matters

The project requires a specialized workforce to operate the smelter and support downstream manufacturing. Educational institutions are partnering with industry leaders to ensure local training programs can meet these future labor demands.

The development is expected to generate 6,000 indirect jobs in the region. Rogers State College is preparing for the influx by utilizing its existing $35 million STEM lab.

The players

Oklahoma Primary Aluminum

This company is the lead developer of the new aluminum smelting facility at the Port of Inola.

U.S. Aluminum

This corporation plans to establish a secondary facility at the Port of Inola site.

Rogers State College

This educational institution is developing training curriculum and utilizes a $35 million STEM laboratory.

Tulsa Innovation Labs

This organization is coordinating workforce development strategies and workshops for the new industrial hub.

The details

Oklahoma Primary Aluminum is collaborating with career tech centers and colleges to develop specialized training for prospective employees. Representatives from these schools met at Tulsa Tech to align curriculum with the operational needs of the smelter and secondary manufacturing firms.

Groundbreaking for the Oklahoma Primary Aluminum smelter is planned for next year.
Rogers State College plans to begin a new 3-year degree program next fall.

Market Landscape

This project reflects the regional industrial workforce development trend of aligning academic curriculum with specific manufacturing labor requirements. It positions the Port of Inola as a significant manufacturing hub while leveraging existing college investments to compete for skilled labor.

Local residents can expect new employment opportunities in the manufacturing sector as the facility prepares for construction. Prospective students may benefit from new specialized degree programs tailored to the needs of the aluminum industry.

The takeaway

The success of this industrial expansion relies heavily on the coordination between local colleges and private companies. Workers looking to enter the manufacturing field should monitor new certificate and degree program enrollments as they open next fall.