State department gets $6M in federal funds to expand apprenticeships in clean energy, infrastructure development

Jul. 25—SAN ANTONITO — Ron Ayers had a career in radio for nearly three decades before transitioning to an electrical apprenticeship program through IBEW, a labor union, five years ago.

Now, Ayers, 52, works as an electrical service technician with B&D Industries out of Albuquerque, making enough money to support his wife and five kids.

It's people like Ayers that the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions is trying to target. The department's a recipient of a three-year, nearly $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, which officials announced at a press conference Thursday in San Antonito.

The money, officials said, will go toward the state's newly established Energizing, Building and Connecting through Apprenticeships program, aimed at expanding and modernizing pathways to skilled jobs in areas that support clean energy and infrastructure development.

Department Secretary Sarita Nair, speaking in front of a construction project on N.M. 14 and N.M. 536 that will create a roundabout to go up to Sandia Crest, said the money will help expand a state pre-apprenticeship program that will allow people to get up to 400 hours of work and instruction with partnered entities. She added that the funding will also provide a $1,800 incentive to any business that hires a pre-apprentice graduate.

"We know that it's a lot of work and investment to have an apprentice come work in your shop, and so this is just a little bonus to say, 'Hey, we appreciate that investment,'" she said. "We want more businesses to come on as hosting those apprentices, so that's what that piece of the program is about."

The money will also go toward expanding other registered apprenticeship programs in clean energy and infrastructure throughout the state, hoping to create 100 new apprenticeship slots. She said the goal is to get 425 pre-apprentices funded.

Joan Baker, political affairs and outreach director with UA Local 412, said pre-apprenticeship is a "relatively new idea."

"Registered apprenticeship can sometimes be tricky with application processes and interview processes, and pre-apprenticeship really delves in and gives people in underserved communities a taste of what it's like to be in a registered apprenticeship (and) to be in the building trades and construction industry," she said.

Denise Gonzalez, a Governor's Office infrastructure program coordinator, said New Mexico is just one of nine states to receive State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grants from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Others, according to a news release from the federal department, include the Texas Workforce Commission and the South Carolina State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education — both of which will receive $6 million.

"New Mexico is ready to put these federal funds to work," Gonzalez said. "By investing in clean energy apprenticeships, providing well-paying jobs and supporting our local economy, we are ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come."

Asked if he plans to continue working in the electrical field until he retires, Ayers joked that he'll be here for a long time.

"It's going to be beyond retirement," he said. "I'm going to do it until they tell me not to come back to work."