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CNM to Host 60th Annual New Mexico SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference

Over 900 students from across New Mexico will put their skills to the test at the annual conference with the hopes of qualifying for nationals
March 11, 2026

CNM is excited to host the 60th annual New Mexico SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference on March 20 and 21 at the recently opened Ted Chavez Trades and Technology Center on Main Campus.

“We’re thrilled to welcome students from across New Mexico to CNM as they showcase their skills and hard work in their respective competitions,” says Janel Sanchez, State Director for SkillsUSA New Mexico. “We’re also excited to utilize the new Ted Chavez Trades and Technology Center for several of the competitions, which will not only highlight the new facilities, but also elevate CNM’s educational pathways.”

This year, over 900 middle school, high school, and post-secondary students from across New Mexico will compete in 74 competitions, ranging from audio production to welding, with the goal of qualifying for the national SkillsUSA competition.

Each competition will produce a gold, silver, and bronze winner, and the individual or team who won gold will qualify to compete at the SkillsUSA National Skills and Leadership Conference this June in Atlanta, GA.

Along with the competitions, students will also participate in leadership development workshops and meet with industry partners at TECHSPO, a career and technical education-focused tradeshow.

To close out the weekend, SkillsUSA competitors are invited to attend the Women in Trades Summit hosted by CNM’s Division of Workforce and Community Success.

“Aligning SkillsUSA and the Women in Trades Summit is such a great partnership because it opens it up to students who might not have been able to attend otherwise,” Janel says. “After competing in their respective competitions, it’s impactful that students can attend the Summit and see that what they’ve learned can translate into an in-demand, high-paying career.”

SkillsUSA New Mexico has over 50 chapters throughout the state that partner with students, educators, and industry professionals to work towards reducing the nationwide shortage of skilled tradespeople. SkillsUSA does the same on a national level and has close to 450,000 registered members in chapters across the United States.