How CNM’s Workforce Development Focus is Fueling Student Success and Economic Impact

Through strategic investments in workforce training, paid internships, and industry partnerships, CNM is helping thousands of students earn degrees and gain the skills, experience, and connections they need to enter the workforce with confidence.

As New Mexico’s primary workforce talent pipeline, CNM serves more than 30,000 students annually across academic and workforce programs. The college works closely with employers, industry leaders, and workforce partners to develop clear, stackable career pathways that align education with regional workforce needs while helping students move efficiently into high-demand careers.

Much of this work has been made possible through significant investments from the New Mexico Legislature. Since fiscal year 25, the state has invested $60 million statewide in funding for workforce training, internships, and apprenticeships through the New Mexico GRO funding. In the first two pilot years, CNM has received $13.6 million, or 34 percent of the statewide total, and an additional five million in supplemental work study funding.

These investments have given CNM the flexibility to rapidly respond to workforce needs while expanding opportunities for students across the state.

The results are already making an impact. More than 6,000 students have participated in workforce training opportunities supported by GRO funding so far (more than 3,000 in FY25), and over 600 students have completed paid internships that provide valuable real-world experience before graduation.

For biotechnology student Tanya Winters, a paid internship helped bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional experience.

“It has been a wonderful experience to use what I have learned while also expanding my knowledge and curiosity further,” Winters said. “I now feel confident that I can use the skills that I have learned to work both independently and with the team around me.”

Those experiences are immediately translate into strong workforce outcomes. Early data shows that more than 60% of graduating students who’ve gone through workforce training and or internships report hourly wages between $20 and $24.99 per hour, and half report annual earnings are earning between $60,000 and $69,999.

The impact extends beyond students. Employers increasingly rely on CNM to develop the skilled workforce needed to support growth in emerging industries.

One example is Qunnect, a quantum networking company that expanded its presence in Albuquerque after learning about CNM’s workforce development efforts.

“Initially, we were only focused on building the open access network and an R&D facility to support work with our design partners,” said Noel Goddard, Ph.D., CEO of Qunnect. “After learning about CNM’s program, we were motivated to expand our operations and establish a manufacturing facility in our Albuquerque space.”

CNM is also building on this momentum through a separate six million dollar technician training initiative funded by the New Mexico Legislature. Unlike GRO funding, which is allocated through the Higher Education Department and supports workforce training across a broad range of industries, this initiative will be administered by CNM and is specifically focused on developing talent pipelines in quantum technologies, advanced energy, and defense-related industries.

The initiative positions CNM as the statewide coordinating lead for technician education and training, bringing together other community colleges, employers, workforce partners, national laboratories, and economic development organizations. The effort will create dedicated technician pathways, expand work-based learning opportunities, develop industry-recognized credentials, and strengthen alignment between workforce, education, and economic development priorities.

Together, these investments represent a coordinated approach to workforce development—one that prepares students for today’s jobs while building the talent pipelines needed for New Mexico’s future economy.

From paid internships and workforce training to advanced technology technician pathways, CNM is helping students graduate with the skills, experience, and industry connections needed to succeed. At the same time, the college is helping employers build the workforce they need to grow. Through strategic investments from the Legislature and strong partnerships across the state, CNM is strengthening New Mexico’s economy one student at a time.