As students move to the next stage of their academic journey, one question always comes up: what’s next? While some are still figuring it out, others are already looking into paths that could lead them to their dream careers. That’s exactly what 50 high school students in New Mexico recently set out to do.
The students joined the biannual Workforce Development Bus Tour during National Apprenticeship Week late last month. During the event, they became familiar with the state registered apprenticeships and other postsecondary credentialing opportunities.
GEAR UP New Mexico organized the bus tour in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions and state apprenticeship program managers. The tour gave students the opportunity to visit and learn about some of NMDWS’ 58 registered apprenticeship programs.
Throughout the activity, students engaged in hands-on experiences with the Associated Builders and Contractors of New Mexico. They also watched apprentices train through hands-on practice at the Southwest Line Constructors Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program.
Why the Bus Tour Matters
“Learning a trade makes a tremendous difference in a person’s life. It exposes them to all kinds of opportunities and gives them a career, a path forward and a way to help build their community,” said Greta Schouman, Vice President of the ABC New Mexico Education Trust.
Schouman said it creates a person with a diverse set of skills. It also strengthens critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, teaching students how to think outside the box. These students are the future, she said.
“We could not have accomplished such a unique tour for the students of GEAR UP New Mexico without the incredible partnerships and hours of collaborations with not only the NMDWS State Apprenticeship Office, but also many wonderful program leaders across our state,” said GEAR UP New Mexico Regional Coordinator Katherin Hinton.
“NMDWS Apprenticeship appreciates any opportunity to partner with GEAR UP New Mexico and provide the wonderful options New Mexico registered apprenticeships have to offer our youth,” said Juanito Marquez, apprenticeship training representative at NMDWS.
Marquez said learning a trade exposes students to opportunities. He added that it gives them a career, a path forward, and helps in building the community.
What Students Further Discovered
Students received in-depth presentations from various registered apprenticeship leaders. These included the APRENDE Early Childhood Teacher Apprenticeship and the CNM Ingenuity Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs.
The state offers many possibilities in post-secondary education. Students also toured the CNM Rio Rancho and Santa Fe Community College campuses.
“Seeing the APRENDE Program and the different opportunities you can have with apprenticeships has opened my mind” said Natalia, a student from Capital High School who joined the tour. “This trip opened my eyes to the real-life experiences that people in these fields have every day.”
GEAR UP New Mexico is a division of the New Mexico Higher Education Department. It is a federally funded program that aims to increase college and career readiness for seventh to 12th-grade students.
GEAR UP New Mexico partners with eight school districts in the state that serve a high proportion of rural and first-generation students. Partnership high schools include Albuquerque Talent Development Academy, Bernalillo High School, Española Valley High School, Archer Academy of Accelerated Learning, Mountainair High School, Socorro High School, Taos High School, and Capital High School.