CNM, CNM Ingenuity, Inc. and the New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NMRECA) have partnered to bring the association’s statewide Lineworker Electric Power Training Facility to the CNM Rio Rancho Campus where apprentices can train to become electrical lineworkers for one of NMRECA’s 19 rural cooperatives across the state.
The training facility opened in October 2017, in time for NMRECA’s annual fall apprenticeship training session. There will be two apprenticeship trainings per year.
“This is great news for the Rio Rancho community,” said CNM Governing Board Member Tom Swisstack, “The electric lineworker training facility will draw people from around the state to Rio Rancho. It will provide an economic boost for our city, and it will provide our Rio Rancho citizens with a direct pathway to quality jobs in this skilled profession.”
In addition to NMRECA’s apprenticeship trainings, CNM Ingenuity, a nonprofit that helps CNM pursue cooperative ventures in technology and entrepreneurship, began offering its pre-apprenticeship program in January 2018 for people interested in becoming electric lineworkers. The Participants in the program learn basic technical skills and required certifications in CPR/First Aid, Class A Commercial Driver License and OSHA. Two training programs per year during the spring and fall semesters. If there’s industry demand for more, CNM will increase the number of programs per year.
“CNM and CNM Ingenuity are very excited that we could establish this partnership with NMRECA and help bring a crucial statewide training facility to the Rio Rancho community,” said Kyle Lee, executive director of CNM Ingenuity. “This training facility is vitally important to thousands of people across New Mexico, so we’re very proud that future electric lineworkers will gain their specialized skills at the Rio Rancho Campus.”
NMRECA, organized in 1944, is headquartered in Santa Fe and represents the state’s 19 rural electric cooperatives and their members. New Mexico’s rural electric cooperatives provide vital utility services to over 211,000 New Mexico families and businesses who own their electric cooperatives.