Area leaders discuss career and technical education
Clovis Economic Development and the Clovis/Curry County Chamber hosted a meeting yesterday with business, economic development and education leaders across Curry, Roosevelt and De Baca County to build the next generation of career and technical education (CTE). Representatives from major industries including Southwest Cheese, Cummins Natural Gas Engines, Ruan Transportation and more expressed their current workforce needs and collaborated with educational partners from Clovis, Melrose and Elida Municipal Schools, CCC, ENMU and more to select the target industries that could benefit most from upcoming CTE funding.
Many business leaders acknowledged their struggle to find employees with the skills necessary to succeed, especially in the agricultural, manufacturing and information technology industries. By 2026, the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions projects an increase in available jobs in these three industries, which encompass business management, logistics, welding and other trades. Additionally, the ever-growing world of technology affects jobs that cut across all industries in the region.
In effort to provide students with the knowledge and technical skills needed to fill the jobs of the future, educational partners in our region are now able to request Perkins funding toward programs that will have the greatest impact on these industries. Tracey Bryan of the Bridge of Southern New Mexico facilitated the discussion, encouraging economic development leaders to identify opportunities for innovation and partnership between local businesses and educators.
Those involved in this collaborative effort will aim to enhance CTE programs that generate well-informed, well-rounded talent while being responsive to the needs of industry and economic development, as well as to provide career exposure and training to create the best possible opportunities and outcomes for students and families.
