The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) has awarded $750,000 in contracts to seven leading organizations to establish and deliver Pre-apprenticeship Opportunity Programs (POPs) in clean energy and infrastructure development, providing hands-on training, related instruction, mentorship, and clear pathways to Registered Apprenticeship Programs or direct employment in high-demand industries.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor through the State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula, Round 2 (SAEF2) grant and administered by the NMDWS Building, Energizing, and Connecting through Apprenticeships (BECA) program, the selected contractors will implement their POPs within a year, while ensuring opportunity for all New Mexicans.

“Pre-apprenticeship has become one of our most successful initiatives, with over 700 participants coming through the program in two years,” said NMDWS Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair. “The BECA contracts will supercharge our partnerships with private industry and public educators to build even more pre-apprenticeship programs in the sectors our state has prioritized. We all share the goal of making sure New Mexico youth are aware of the amazing career paths they can take without leaving our beautiful state.”

NMDWS will administer and support each of these initiatives as part of the department’s broader work-based learning efforts.

Awarded Contractors and Focus Areas:

• NewSpace Nexus – Semiconductor Manufacturing
• Northern New Mexico College – Carpentry
• Associated General Contractors of New Mexico (AGC NM) – Construction
• Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. NM Chapter (ABC NM) – Construction
• Santa Fe Community College – Broadband
• Santa Fe Community College – Clean Energy
• STEM Boomerang LLC – High Performance Computing