TITLE: Construction Trades Vocational Training Program-Phase II

APPLICANT: New Mexico State University-Carlsbad, New Mexico

INDUSTRY FOCUS: Construction

AREA SERVED: Southeast New Mexico Including the Counties of Eddy, Lea, Chaves, Lincoln, Otero, Curry & Roosevelt

KEY PARTNERS: One Workforce Partner, Three Education Partners, One Private-Non-Profit Corporation, Three Employers, One Union, One Faith-Based Organization, One Real Estate Developer

AMOUNT AWARDED: $500,000 LEVERAGED FUNDS: $1,402,030

TARGET GROUP: Alternative Labor Pools

PROJECT OBJECTIVE: Development of a trained workforce for the construction industry utilizing alternative labor pools while providing housing for low-moderate income residents in Southeast New Mexico.

PROJECT SUMMARY:

Based on economic studies, labor market analysis, building starts projections, public meetings and construction industry surveys, one of the greatest impediments to growth in the Southeast New Mexico quadrant is a shortage of workers in the construction trades to build and rehabilitate residential, commercial and industrial properties. New Mexico State University-Carlsbad (NMSU-Carlsbad), as the community college applicant, is centrally located in Southeastern New Mexico to provide an established Building Trades Certificate and to create a new Associate of Applied Science Building Trades Technology Degree. No other community college within 250 miles provides a similar certificate/degree program.

The proposed Construction Trades Vocational Training Program-Phase II (CTVTP-Phase II) will build upon an innovative grass roots program in Carlsbad, New Mexico, which will train a new generation workforce for the construction industry while providing affordable housing for low-to-moderate income residents. Currently addressing high school students with the oppor-tunity to obtain a Building Trades Certificate, the CTVTP-Phase II will promote entry of alternative labor pools including at-risk youth, women, dislocated workers, displaced home-makers, underemployed workers and criminal justice system opportunities and creation of an Associate in Applied Science Building Trades Technology Degree. Through inner-city lots that have been donated by the City of Carlsbad, students will experience hands-on instruction through new home builds. Completed homes will be sold to low-to-moderate income families, with sale proceeds recycled, providing long term educational project sustainability of CTVTP-Phase II.

The CTVTP-Phase II will create a continuum of education that supports long term career growth. From as early as 9th Grade to displaced and underemployed adults, participants will be provided opportunities for secondary, vocational technical classes, post-secondary certificate programs, apprenticeships, and an Associate of Applied Science in Building Trades Technology Degree. Financial support will be made available to the alternative labor pool as needed through the New Mexico Workforce Connection and through grant assistance, with 50% of the proposed budget designated for tuition and related training costs. Project impacts include new jobs, real property expansion and creation of a sustainable program.

PROJECTED OUTCOMES:

• Increase the available workforce in the construction trades by 5% within three years.
• Create an Associate of Applied Science Building Trades Technology Degree program and recruit 35 alternative labor pool students annually.
• Commencing May 2010, 25 degreed students graduate annually and obtain jobs/ apprenticeships within the construction trades industry.