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New Mexico Receives $790K Apprenticeship Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor

Funding for ApprenticeshipUSA Advanced Manufacturing Expansion (AME) Project

For Immediate Release
October 28, 2016

Contact: Joy Forehand
Office: 505.841.8450
Media Inquiries: 505.250.3926

 

New Mexico Receives $790K Apprenticeship Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor
Funding for ApprenticeshipUSA Advanced Manufacturing Expansion (AME)Project

Albuquerque, NM – The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) announces that the department has been awarded a $790,455 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to fund the ApprenticeshipUSA Advanced Manufacturing Expansion (AME) project, a pilot program designed to determine workforce skills gaps and meet those gaps with the development of training, curriculum, and credentials. Through this grant, NMDWS is committed to supporting the development of new apprenticeship programs in advanced manufacturing and diversifying the Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in New Mexico.

An on-the-job-training (OJT) portion of the pilot will place 75 new apprentices in manufacturing training programs during the initial 18 months of the program. In partnership with the New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and in concert with efforts of the 21 statewide New Mexico Workforce Connections Centers, manufacturers and apprentices will be matched for the initial training program, to include a particular focus on women, young adults aged 16-24, and people with disabilities. Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) will lead the development of a survey and gap analysis research, with the end goal of implementing, based on the results, a comprehensive competency-based training program geared specifically toward the needs of this industry.

“Because apprenticeship has such a long and successful history in our state, I am confident that this most recent grant opportunity will be able to build upon that existing foundation,” said NMDWS Cabinet Secretary Celina Bussey. “Through a strong partnership with MEP and CNM, we can ensure that our existing manufacturers have the talent they need to be successful and work to further develop the pipeline of talent that will be needed in the future.”

Comprehensive training and industry certification will be delivered to existing companies by MEP and CNM to create greater capacity and upward mobility opportunities for their employees. “We are very excited to partner with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions on this very promising ApprenticeshipUSA Advanced Manufacturing Expansion grant project,” said CNM President Katharine Winograd. “This project will help us better identify the skill gaps in our workforce and then address those gaps with competency-based training and apprenticeship programs that will lead to quality jobs for New Mexicans and growth opportunities for our state’s economy. This collaborative grant effort provides us with a great opportunity to advance our workforce, our economy, and our community.”

Currently, there are 34 registered apprenticeship programs in New Mexico and approximately 1,300 apprentices. New Mexico has a long and successful track record with Registered Apprenticeship programs that have created a skilled workforce pipeline for the building and construction trades for decades. This grant will leverage many existing resources to engage new partners like MEP to bring to light the workforce needs of New Mexico’s manufacturers. “New Mexico MEP looks forward to this new opportunity and partnering with NMDWS, CNM, and New Mexico's manufacturing community. This program will be critical to developing a workforce that can support and grow the State's manufacturing industry. It is an example of various resources within the state collaborating with industry to advance New Mexico,” said Jennifer Sinsabaugh, Center Director for NM MEP.

In April 2016, the Department announced its commitment to invest in State-led initiatives to grow and diversify Registered Apprenticeship, first through the ApprenticeshipUSA State Accelerator Grants and now through the announcement of the State Expansion Grants which was $50.5 million awarded to 37 states. The ApprenticeshipUSA State Expansion grants will be used to implement statewide strategies to expand Registered Apprenticeship as well as invest in intermediaries and activities to engage employers, expand and diversify Registered Apprenticeship to new sectors and under-served populations, and promote innovative strategies and incentives for this critical earn and learn training model.

For additional information about apprenticeship in New Mexico, visit www.dws.state.nm.us, and “Apprenticeship” under the “Labor Relations” header.

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