PROJECT CHARTER

PROJECT Vision & goals

  • Remain nimble and agile with growing market trends through intentional employer collaboration and public-private partnerships that provide relevant, industry-led training and insight.

  • Support an entrepreneurial pathway that leverages critical thinking and business skill training, re-framing the trades path as a lucrative and life-long learning opportunity with a core skills based foundation.

  • Create clear, dynamic, and inclusive pathways from K-12 through job placement starting with middle school and high school integration and offering dual-credit opportunities, certification validity, and earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships and internships.

  • Establish CNM as a critical resource for relevant workforce up-skill training in skilled trades, technology, business, management, and problem solving.

  • Develop a program that breaks down the silos of traditional trades education, focusing on a more collaborative and cross-skill approach that truly represents a diverse and connected industry.

 

PROJECT DATA & MEANING

Building on a rich local history

  • Albuquerque has seen exponential growth over the years in industries such as construction, renewable energy, aerospace technologies, film, education, and healthcare.

  • A growing city requires innovative and relevant architectural infrastructure to facilitate and sustain long term growth. 

  • The need for growth and development in trades education is relevant throughout New Mexico as well as across the country.  Now, more than ever, there is a critical need to strengthen our trades workforce and provide solid alternatives to four year and post graduate education.

 

Reconnecting with vocational routes

  • CNM has embarked on a thorough and in-depth visioning process to examine the local and educational needs and opportunities.  From this visioning process we have connected with various industry leaders throughout New Mexico to help CNM identify and clarify a unique opportunity to redevelop an institution that drives the local workforce and economy. 

  • CNM is building on this vision and developing plans for a new Trades and Applied Technology facility that will support this rich history, grow the current workforce, and become a beacon to the future of economic development in and around the greater Albuquerque area and beyond. 

  • The result will be a state-of-the-art, 21st century facility that serves as a centerpiece for the educational community and industry leaders to learn, collaborate, grow, and innovate.

 

A community resource

  • CNM sees a unique opportunity to provide the local industry with a valuable resource for upskilling, recruiting, and lifelong learning.

  • This facility will expand Central New Mexico Community College’s educational reach while also aiding in industry connectivity, opportunity, and resource availability for trades that exist now and those that are coming as Albuquerque grows.

 

Potential programs to be incorporated in the new Trades & Applied Technology Facility include:

  • Updated facilities to support and accommodate traditional trades education

  • New cross-disciplinary shops and classrooms that better align with the real-world experience and collaborative skills for the next generation workforce. 

  • Blackbox flexible education spaces for up-and-coming technologies and industries to experiment and develop new tools and more efficient processes.

  • Entrepreneurial resources and incubator spaces that bridge the gap between education and a thriving business.

  • Community outreach spaces that connect with underserved communities and demographics, providing them with opportunities and pathways for career growth and development.

  • Educational programs for K-12 students to expand their knowledge through hands-on training providing insight into a fulfilling future in trades.

  • Community spaces for industry leaders to work, teach, and collaborate with students & faculty

  • Improved presence within the community and campus, providing a direct reflection of the program’s focus on the bridging the gap between the two.

  • Flexible thinktank spaces that inspire innovation for rising industries such as automation, 3D visualization, and construction technologies for a successfully prepared workforce upon graduation.

 

Future of Albuquerque

  • The growth of CNM and its Applied Technologies program will be in direct support of the growth of Albuquerque and its continued commitment to a thriving workforce and more sustainable future.

  • By remarketing what a trade school is, we believe this facility will bring in new students from different areas and create a space of pride for New Mexico.