Central New Mexico College Is Preparing Learners for Successful Careers
Sponsored by: Central New Mexico Community College
While a college degree certainly can open some career doors, those doors aren’t as useful unless they actually lead somewhere. That is why Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) makes sure there also is a pathway to success awaiting its graduates.
CNM’s Workforce and Community Success Division (WCS) focuses on placing learners into internships and providing work-based educational opportunities. So when learners graduate, they already have the hands-on experiences that will prepare them to walk immediately into their chosen field. This benefits not only the learners, but area businesses and the overall local community as well.
With help from a $60 million 3-year statewide investment through the New Mexico Higher Education Department, CNM has partnered with 84 employers to place more than 300 learners into paid internships over the past two years. In addition, nearly 2,600 learners received scholarships for CNM Ingenuity’s workforce training programs. Of those who completed both a program and internship, more than 80% reported that they are employed in a position related to their area of training.
“Paid internships have been a game changer, removing barriers, building skills and creating real pathways to opportunity,” WCS Vice President Joy Forehand says. “It allows us to deepen employer and industry partnerships, provide more flexible, high-impact experiences for learners and continue building talent pipelines that meet the evolving needs of our economy.”
Southwest Ironwork is one of the local companies on the receiving end of this pipeline. The Albuquerque-based fabricator has completed nearly 1,300 projects since opening in 2000, requiring a steady series of workers familiar with the steel industry.
“SWI chose to work with CNM because we believe CNM provides ample opportunities for professional growth and development,” Southwest Ironwork official Shawn Hughes says. “They also have a supportive and collaborative environment, dedicated staff who truly care about student success, engaging curriculum, opportunities for professional development and a strong sense of community.”
Along with the traditional internships, CNM is expanding its micro-internship offerings. These flexible short-term opportunities (usually 25 to 30 hours) enable learners who already are employed to gain experience working on a project without committing to a multimonth internship.
In addition, CNM Ingenuity plans to enroll 2,900 learners into 65 workforce training programs through June 30. These programs cover a wide variety of industries, including mechatronics, health and wellness, quantum technologies and electric line work installation and repair.
“Our state’s strong investment in workforce training programs and paid work-based learning experiences is helping us provide a more valuable and powerful experience for our learners while delivering a stronger pipeline of skilled workers for our employers,” CNM President Tracy Hartzler says. “By expanding and improving the quality of our workforce for employers, we’re also adding to the economic development momentum of our community and state.”
Momentum that is propelling CNM graduates out the door and into successful careers.
For more information about Central New Mexico Community College, visit cnm.edu.