RECAP

SKILLED TRADES SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS – Dan Gerry

Accomplishments, Benefits, and Impacts: 

• Added 13 new contractors— including Native American and Hispanic woman-owned employers across the region

• Engaged with Pueblo leaders from Pojoaque, Tesuque, San Ildefonso, Okay Owingeh, and Taos pueblos to identify workforce needs

• Deployed the WIN Mobile Training Unit to Mora, Santa Fe, and Colfax counties, resulting in 21 new job placements

• Created cross-regional partnerships to complete courses needed for local employment, enabling students who completed lineman training at NNMC to complete CDL licensure required for employment that was offered at Luna and UNM-Taos

• Worked with education providers to promote job-ready certifications for CDL and fiber optic installation techs

• Helped qualify contractors as Adjunct Instructors paid to train their own employees to upgrade their skills and salaries

• Aligned CTE classes offered by local colleges with contractors’ current needs

• Continued discussions with the Northern NM Builders Association to create a sustainable regional partnership to extend WIN’s initiatives past the grant period

• Informed employers of resources available for business expansion and retention through networking with Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), Regional Development Corporation (RDC), and NM Minority Business Development Alliance.

• Provided Work-Based Learning approaches to build skills through hands-on practice

• Enabled community colleges in different counties to collaborate on filling gaps in course offerings

• Employers received reimbursement for training new employees through WIOWA

• Challenged populations participated in workforce training programs

• Paid pre-apprenticeship training programs enabled students to earn while they learn

• Best practices and innovations were shared across the region

 
Combined Resources Opportunities:

• Las Vegas NM Community Foundation grant paid for Mobile Training Unit (MTU) student lunches in Mora

• Dept of Workforce Solutions partnership enabled the MTU to offer paid apprenticeship training and 7-week paid follow-up internships

• Union 412 staff collaborated with the Raton High School Superintendent & staff on the design of the welding lab at the new High School

Convening Breakout Session Take-aways:

• Robert Romero, owner, Fahrenheit Work Metals, discussed his HVAC training certificate program underway at the NM State Penitentiary.

• Andrew Sisneros, Jaynes Corporation, provided details on large construction projects being bid in Las Vegas, Española and Raton.

• Adan Estrada, Estrada Construction and Remodeling, shared their plans for developing registered apprenticeships for building remodeling in Raton.

• JP Granillo, Santa Fe YouthWorks discussed their GED program and work experience gained through Habitat for Humanity home building projects.

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HEALTHCARE SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS – Dr. Veronica Sanchez

The WIN Healthcare Sector brought together key stakeholders to discuss innovative hiring practices for justice-impacted individuals and those with substance use challenges. The event highlighted employer opportunities and strategies to promote equitable workforce development. Participants engaged in thoughtful dialogue, fostering collaborative approaches to integrate these populations into the workforce. This convening marked a significant step in building inclusive hiring pipelines that align with WIN’s mission to strengthen community health and economic vitality through innovative partnerships.
 
Over the past quarter, the WIN Healthcare Sector team has made significant strides in outreach to tribal communities:

• Secured support from the Eight Northern Indian Pueblo Council Board of Directors

• Continues to engage with governors and program leaders to expand service offerings including the Community Health Worker (CHW) trainings.

• Initial connections have been made with Taos and Picuris Pueblos’ workforce and education directors, both expressing interest in bringing WIN as a resource to their communities.

• Employer partnership engagement: Through partners like “Home Instead,” our team is working to engage CNA and CHW classes at Northern New Mexico University and Santa Fe Community College to connect employers such as Home Instead to students who are completing their training programs and ready to secure job placements.

• Weekly and bi-weekly team meetings have driven outreach efforts, ensuring ongoing collaboration with tribal leadership, employers, and training providers to expand the impact of the WIN Healthcare Sector.