Workforce Preparation & Career Pathways

Call the Adult Education Hotline! 
Llame a nuestra línea directa de educación para adultos!

1-833-675-1437

Career pathways are structured and connected education programs and support services that enable students, often while they are working, to advance over time to better jobs and higher levels of education and training (careerladdersproject.org). Adult Education programs across New Mexico are building these pathways to sustainable, in-demand careers in our state. We often call these pathways integrated education and training programs, or IETs. IET programs enable adult learners to develop foundational skills and workforce preparation skills simultaneously. 

Integrated Education and Training (IET) is an approach to providing adult education and literacy services concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation activities and workforce training. Designed to support local workforce development board plans, IET programs are a key part of career pathways for many New Mexicans.

In New Mexico, adult education programs offer many different IET programs that help adult learners prepare for a specific occupation (or occupational cluster, such as allied health careers) while improving their basic skills, their English language skills, and/or earning their high school equivalency diploma. In addition, adult education programs develop and contribute to other, similar workforce development initiatives, such as pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeship programs.

Alamogordo

NMSU-Alamogordo: Pathways and Career Education (PACE)

Certified Nursing Assistant program (CNA)

In conjunction with Allied Health at NMSU, PACE’s I-BEST instructor works in collaboration with the CNA instructor to provide skills and completion for students pursuing a CNA certificate.

Contact: Paula Harms Van-Duyn, Instructor, pjharms@nmsu.edu, (575) 439-3815

Albuquerque

Albuquerque Adult Learning Center (ABQ-ALC) 

Associated Builders and Contractors and Albuquerque Adult Learning Center Pre-apprenticeship Program

This program will simultaneously prepare adult students to take and pass all subjects of the GED® or HiSET test while completing the Core class, which is a prerequisite for any apprenticeship track. Albuquerque Adult Learning Center will work with the student until the student has passed all official high school equivalency (HSE) test subjects. The Core class is team taught so that students can complete the course while preparing for the HSE test. Once the student has received their HSE credential and passed the Core class, the student will then be eligible to start Year I of their chosen apprenticeship track.

Contact: Faith Mosley, Intake Coordinator, faith@abqalc.org, (505) 907-9957.

CNM Adult Education Program 

Early Childhood Mutlicultural Education

We offer Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) programs for ESL students who are co-enrolled in the School of Communication, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CHSS) for the Early Childhood Multicultural Education certificate program.

Nursing Assistant

We offer Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) programs for ESL students who are co-enrolled in the School of Health, Wellness, and Public Safety (HWPS) for the Nursing Assistant certificate program.

Career Pathways in Applied Technologies

Programs in which students concurrently complete high school equivalency and college-level coursework to obtain a credential that leads directly to employment. Current programs to which these apply are: (1) Certificate of Achievement in Automotive Service Fundamentals, and (2) Certificate of Completion in Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Additional programs are under development.

Career Pathways in Business and Information Technologies

Programs in which students concurrently complete high school equivalency and college-level coursework to obtain a credential that leads directly to employment. Current programs to which these apply are: (1) Certificate of Completion in Retail Management, and (2) Certificate of Completion in Hospitality and Tourism. Additional programs are under development.

Contact: David Valdés, dvaldes1@cnm.edu.

Hobbs

New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) Adult Education Program

Start Up Generation Entrepreneurial Program

NMJC-AE partnered with the Eastern Area Workforce Development Board. The AE program provides career coaching, plan development, case management and supportive services. Classes are all virtual, so students from other programs can participate!

Contact: Kathleeen Ferrell, Adult Education Director 
(575) 492.2630, kferrell@nmjc.edu

Santa Fe

Santa Fe Community College – Adult Education IBEST programs

Community Health Worker

This one-semester program prepares students to enter the healthcare profession as an entry-level community health worker (CHW). CHWs function as patient advocates and educators in clinics, hospitals and managed care organizations (MCO). This certificate program includes the 10 established competencies required for state certification.  Program completion enables students to qualify for the New Mexico state certification for CHWs.

Nursing Assistant

This program prepares students to enter the nursing profession as an entry-level nursing assistant. Upon successful completion of this one semester certificate, the student will meet all federal certification standards for a nursing assistant and be prepared to sit for the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry exams.

Phlebotomy

This one-semester program is designed to provide students with the necessary skills for gainful employment as a phlebotomist, working under the supervision of a clinical laboratory supervisor.  Phlebotomists are responsible for the proper collection, processing and testing of blood specimens and other medical samples in accordance with OSHA safety regulations and standards. Upon successful completion of this program, students will be eligible for application to the national licensing examination through the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Early Childhood Development

This three semester certificate provides students with the course work necessary to apply for a New Mexico Child Development Certificate (CDC), a state-awarded certificate for early childhood teachers. The CDC certificate meets the entry-level professional requirements for teachers already working in a classroom setting with preschool children and exceeds the requirements of the national CDA Credential. It is particularly designed to assist Head Start and Early Head Start programs meet the interim staff qualification requirements. All Certificate course credits apply toward an associate degree in early childhood education.

Entry Level Automotive Technician – Certificate in Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair

This two-semester program prepares students to enter the automotive repair profession as an entry-level technician. This position performs basic maintenance on vehicles such as oil changes, tire rotation, other basic maintenance and performs the important task of the multi-point vehicle inspection. As new vehicle sales increase, dealerships are expanding this service area to accommodate these new customers. Along with this certificate, students will have access to computer training modules that will support classroom work. This certificate program includes the five (5) established competencies:  Introduction to Automotive Technology, Automotive Electrical and Electronic Systems I, Automotive Steering and Suspension Systems, Automotive Brake Systems, and Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning.

Contact: Gwen Spatzier, IBEST Program Coordinator (505) 690-9128.

Silver City

Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Adult Education Program

Digital Literacy Certificates and other certificates and badges

This program is available to YDI clients in the Southwest area towards their educational contract agreements. Available to clients 16+ who need educational assistance towards: employment, post-secondary, HSE, or digital literacy skill preparation.

Contact: Debbie Maldonado, Program Manager
Adult Education Services
(575) 574-5114 / main office (575) 574-5101
Debbie.Maldonado@wnmu.edu