City Launches New Workforce Development Program: Job Training Albuquerque

January 9, 2020

Today, Thursday January 9, 2020, Mayor Tim Keller and Synthia Jaramillo, Director of Economic Development, City of Albuquerque, joined with partners at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) to announce a new workforce development program, Job Training Albuquerque (JTA). JTA enables employers to train their workforce in high-demand skills while awarding the employee college credit or an industry credential for each program they participate in. Ultimately, JTA will result in company growth, job creation and a deep employment talent pool for existing and potential companies.

“Small businesses have said it loud and clear; they need a talented and skilled workforce. We are responding with Job Training Albuquerque, a new workforce development program that will build Albuquerque’s workforce one worker at a time,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “JTA will fill in gaps left by other programs by providing training in areas like digital marketing, accounting, project management and others. This will result in a deep labor talent pool for existing and potential employers.” 

JTA is a partnership between the City of Albuquerque and Central New Mexico Community College and will be administered by CNM Ingenuity (CNMI), a workforce training arm of the college. Program funding is provided by the City of Albuquerque Economic Development Department, as part of the Council approved 2020 FY budget, and the program is administered by CNM Ingenuity.

“At CNM, we’re always ready to join the City of Albuquerque in great collaborations like this one that will benefit the Albuquerque economy, local businesses, and our community members,” CNM President Tracy Hartzler said. “We look forward to delivering the kind of customized education and skills training that will lift up employees while helping small businesses grow and become more prosperous.”

“We consistently heard from small businesses that Albuquerque needs workforce development, but that many small businesses don’t qualify for other existing programs,” said Synthia Jaramillo, Director Economic Development, City of Albuquerque. "Job Training Albuquerque fills those needs by providing opportunities to gain necessary skills. We are closing the skill gap to make Albuquerque the best city to start, expand or locate a business.”

JTA provides an opportunity for Albuquerque employers to skill-up their workforce and for employees to gain high-demand skills and industry specific certifications. Initially, JTA will fund in-house training and provide training in the following areas:

• Supervisor Skills
• Digital Marketing
• UX Web Design
• Cyber Security
• Accounting & Finance
• Operations Management
• Project Management
• Business & Operations Training for Artisans and Creatives 

JTA is designed to adapt to the changing needs of Albuquerque employers. Additional training courses may be added as further needs are identified.

Preference will be given to companies in the industries of; renewable and alternative energy product manufacturing, directed energy, optics and photonics, aerospace and aviation, software and cyber security, film and digital media, biosciences, advanced manufacturing, creative industries, food products, logistics, healthcare, media post-production, biomedical, and software development.

Companies will be required to be:

• Incorporated as a for-profit or not-for-profit entity in the State of New Mexico.
• Headquartered with in the Albuquerque city limits.
• A small business with 500 or fewer employees.
• Willing to commit to increasing their workforce by at least one employee in the next two years.
• Willing to send employees to training at scheduled class times.
• Located in Albuquerque for 1 year, or for start-ups, the business owner has been an Albuquerque resident for at least 1 year.
• Trainee position must be full time (32 hours per week).

Additional requirements can be found at the application page https://jobtrainingabq.org/?page_id=29

The City’s Economic Development Department is working to build an economy that works for everyone. Part of that mission is strengthening Albuquerque’s workforce. By providing a program like JTA, the City is providing employers with a skilled and trained workforce.

For more information on Job Training Albuquerque visit https://jobtrainingabq.org/