BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – A first-of-its-kind pre-apprenticeship program that connects students with real-world experience in the construction trades has launched at West Mesa High School.
The program is being made possible by a partnership between Bernalillo County, ABC Community School Partnership, Local 412 Plumbers and Pipefitters, and the Outreach and Education Foundation, according to a news release from the county.
The program represents a historic collaboration – uniting county government, a public school, a registered apprenticeship program, and a local union – to support career technical education and expand work-based learning opportunities.
The program offers students hands-on training, mentorship from industry professionals, and the chance to explore high-demand careers in the trades.
The county said the initiative began under the leadership of District 1 Bernalillo County Commissioner Barbara Baca and state Rep. Joy Garratt of Albuquerque, who advocated for a new approach to supporting career technical education and preparing students for future careers in skilled trades.
“As a proud graduate of West Mesa High School, I know that this program is a vital investment in our community’s future,” Baca stated in the news release. “By empowering students with the knowledge and skills needed in the construction trades, we are not only creating job opportunities but also strengthening our local economy.”
Garratt added, “The launch of this pre-apprenticeship program is a testament to what can be achieved when organizations come together for a common cause. We are nurturing the next generation of skilled laborers, and I am thrilled to see such progress in our educational landscape.”