Free, fast-track programs aim to help New Mexicans prepare for in-demand jobs
The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions and Higher Education Department have awarded funding to state colleges and universities for the creation of six fast-track career training programs as part of the Ready NM workforce and education partnership.
Launched earlier this year, the Ready NM partnership brings together the state’s workforce and higher education departments to provide resources to New Mexico workers and employers about job and career training opportunities available in their community. A total of $1.5 million in federal workforce funding has been dedicated to supporting the creation of short-term training programs designed to get New Mexicans prepared for diverse work opportunities that lead to immediate and direct employment in in-demand jobs.
The awarded proposals from Santa Fe Community College, San Juan College, and New Mexico State University - Grants will receive a combined total of $446,000. The training programs are free of cost to participants and will train workers for jobs in food service, fiber optic installation, information technology, 3D printing, and healthcare administration support.
“Supporting New Mexicans and growing our economy means opening access to training and education opportunities that lead to family-sustaining jobs in growing sectors,” Higher Education Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez said. “I thank our colleges and universities for adapting to workforce needs and helping citizens access gainful employment in their home communities and across the state.”
“The Ready NM project really connects the dots for New Mexico job seekers,” said Department of Workforce Solutions Acting Cabinet Secretary Ricky Serna. “Aligning job vacancies with minimum requirements and short-term training programs presents New Mexicans with new and advanced career opportunities that come at little or no cost.”
The programs will be developed and delivered in partnership with employers to ensure that participants gain the skills needed for employment in each field. Training participants will also be co-enrolled in the New Mexico Workforce Connection Online System to access additional services and support, including the help of a New Mexico Workforce Connection Career Consultant.
“Additive manufacturing is a technological field that is growing in a wide range of applications at Los Alamos National Laboratory and across the U.S. Department of Energy nuclear security enterprise. The demand for employees with skills and experience in 3D printing is expected to grow steadily for the foreseeable future,” LANL Student Programs Manager Scott Robbins said in support of the 3D printing boot camp at Santa Fe Community College. “Between now and 2024, we estimate a need to hire over 800 new employees as mechanical technicians, research technologists, and support technicians.”
More information about these program offerings is available below and online at ready.nm.gov
3D Printing Bootcamp at Santa Fe Community College
- Session 1: August 23 – September 20, 2021, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Session 2: October 4 – November 1, 2021, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This four-week, hands-on intensive program provides students with in-demand skills and industry recognized credentials in 3D printing and digital fabrication. Students will learn design thinking, digital design, design for 3D printing, 3D printing file prep, fundamentals of fused deposition modeling, post-processing of 3D printed parts, troubleshooting and maintenance, and technical writing for portfolio development. Students will also complete a project portfolio the provides evidence that the student can successfully implement all aspects of 3D Printing operations.
Training requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, basic computer skills, and English proficiency. The SFCC Office of Student Accessibility Services will support any students with disabilities, and reasonable accommodations will be made to enrolled students.
Local employers include LANL, Meow Wolf, Jabil, and Westwind.
Fiber Optic Certification Training – New Mexico State University - Grants
- Program Dates: Sept 13 – 23, 2021
This ten-day, hands-on intensive program gives students the opportunity to earn four certifications from the Fiber Optic Association that are recognized throughout the world and aligned to industry standards. These credentials will remain valid for three years, after which they can be renewed by the student. Students can earn the following certifications: Certified Fiber Optic Technician, Certified Fiber Optic Specialists in Splicing, Certified Fiber Optic Specialists in Testing and Maintenance, Certified Fiber Optic Specialists in Outside Plant.
Local employers include Ward Cabling, LLC, Continental Divide Electric Cooperative, and Facebook Contractors.
Participant requirements: Students must be able to distinguish colors and have good finger dexterity. No prior workforce training is required.
Information Technology (IT) Training – San Juan College
Program Dates:
- Network+ Fundamentals August 23 – October 27, 2021
- Aws Foundations Extended October 4 – December 8, 2021
- Security+ Fundamentals November 1 – December 8, 2021
This multi-part training series gives students the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials in information technology. Instruction will take place via live online learning.
AWS Cloud Foundations, Extended
This course provides cloud computing curriculum that prepares participants to pursue industry-recognized certifications and in-demand cloud jobs. To get started on the cloud-based career path, participants need to begin with AWS Academy Cloud Foundations. It provides a detailed overview of cloud concepts, AWS core services, security, architecture, pricing, and support. This course also serves as a prerequisite for Associate and Specialty AWS Academy courses. Participants who successfully complete the exam earn the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification and badge, an industry-recognized and stackable certification.
CompTIA Network+
This course prioritizes the essential elements of network devices, traffic, and functions, and is ideal for IT professionals desiring to create virtualized networks and develop their network troubleshooting abilities. Network creation and maintenance are vital to nearly all businesses that have an online presence or rely on online data storage and management. Upon completing this course, participants will be ready to take the CompTIA Network+ certifying exam that leads to an industry-recognized and stackable credential.
CompTIA Security+
This course emphasizes hands-on practical skills essential to those entering into the IT security profession. IT security jobs are in high demand. From credit card companies and healthcare facilities to online stores and universities, online data security is vital. Security+ focuses on the latest trends and techniques in risk management, risk mitigation, threat management, and intrusion detection. Participants can apply the knowledge gained from this course to the CompTIA Security+ certification exam and earn an industry-recognized and stackable credential in cybersecurity.
Career opportunities include network and computer systems administrators, information security analysts, software developers and software quality assurance analysts and testers.
Participant Requirements: AWS Cloud Foundations, Extended — participants need low-to-basic IT technical knowledge and low-to basic IT business knowledge before starting this course. CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ — participants should have general IT knowledge or CompTIA IT Fundamentals training.
Healthcare Administrative Support Training – San Juan College
- Program Dates: September 8, 2021 - March 31, 2022.
Soft Skills — The Administrative Assistant Soft Skills Badge Collection/Certification program aims to provide in-demand soft skills for current workforce members and those desiring to enter into healthcare administrative support receptionist and administrative positions in a variety of fields. This program is a collection of three eight-hour courses, each eligible for a digital badge that culminates into a digital certification. The collection is composed of Essential Business Communication, Business Ethics, and Intensive Customer Service.
Microsoft Office (also available for Spanish Speakers) — The widespread use of the Microsoft suite of products in the workplace has led to ongoing demand for Microsoft skills, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word. This program offers a collection of three specialist-level Microsoft badges culminating in a digital certificate. This program is intended to provide aspiring and current administrative assistants with the technological skills necessary for the modern workplace.
Potential employers include San Juan Regional Medical Center, Presbyterian Medical Services, and Basin Home Health.
Prep Cook Training – San Juan College
- Program dates: September 20 - December 10, 2021
This 12-week training will provide soft-skills including phone skills, resume writing, introduction to cover letters, how to communicate with prospective employers and associates, and hands-on training for basic knife skills, practical kitchen skills such as food safety, temperature/time controls and monitoring, cooling and reheating procedures as well as temperature logging, and other common-sense best practices for a high functioning kitchen. Participants will also undergo food protection management training, and all participants who pass with a score of 75% or higher will receive an industry-certified Food Safety Protection Manager’s Certificate valid for 5 years.
Participant Requirements: The minimum requirements for this training are basic reading and writing skills and basic culinary math with the ability to do recipe conversion calculations. No other technical skills would be required of these trainees.
Retail Food Service Training – San Juan College
- Program Dates: September 20 – November 12, 2021.
This 8-week training will provide participants with the skills needed for employment in retail food service, including training on industry standard equipment and basic math for cash and payment reconciliation. Students will also learn specific skills such as food handler’s safety, alcohol service, table service, plate service, special diet review and allergen safety training, as well as resume building, business writing and customer service training. Participants will test for the Food Handler’s and Alcohol Service permits as required by the state of NM for most food service work.
Participant requirements: The minimum requirements for this training are basic reading, writing, and math (count money, reconcile cash draw and multiple payment types).