ALBUQUERQUE -- The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) was notified last week that it has been awarded a $815,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to increase apprenticeships across the state. The overarching goal of the project is to increase the total number of apprentices by 25 percent over the award period while ensuring job placement in middle- to high-skilled jobs upon program completion. Here is a statement from NMDWS:
“Apprenticeships provide a pathway to a productive, fulfilling work-life,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “We want to expand these programs in as many areas possible because we know they work for both employees and their employers. I’m excited to see what our Workforce Solutions team can do with this new grant.”
In its proposal, NMDWS identified health care and hospitality as the industries of focus. Nearly 60 percent of all projected employment growth in New Mexico is anticipated to occur in these two sectors—totaling more than 30,000 jobs over the next eight years.
“Apprenticeship programs give people a chance to earn a salary while learning skills that will help them get great jobs, without debt,” said Bill McCamley, NMDWS Secretary. “Without carpenters, plumbers, and laborers our communities don’t work and we want to show how much they are needed. We are also looking at expanding apprenticeship programs into new areas like Information Technology.”
Anyone interested in getting involved in an apprenticeship program can find more information on the NMDWS website at www.dws.state.nm.us/Apprenticeship.