High school students get to use this equipment in the auto shop portion of the new CTE building. (Herron photo)

 

Tuesday morning’s NAIOP meeting was different than usual, and not just because it was on a Tuesday – not Thursday, or because it was taking place in the new CTE building owned by Rio Rancho Public Schools.

It’s likely almost everyone in attendance had heard of RRPS’s shift to enticing students to prepare for jobs in the skilled trades professions. Sand although none of today’s students had a late-night plumbing or heating emergency, or had to install brakes on their cars, no doubt their parents had and could tell their kids of the importance of those workers.

Career-technical education programs need help, Sen. Craig Brandt, a former Rio Rancho school board member, said.

“I started working on CTE when I was on the school board,” he said, one of several guest speakers on hand. “It’s hugely important – not every student wants to go to college. … (We need to) make sure our education system is built for everyone.”

“I am a huge CTE fan,” added state Rep. Joshua Hernandez.

All agreed the CTE session wasn’t “an anti-college talk,” but understood that high school graduates aren’t necessarily ready to decide on a college and career pathway, and if the military isn’t a viable option, getting into the trades could be just the ticket – and a ticket to great earnings in only a few years.

RRPS Superintendent Sue Cleveland told of the need for equipment via legislative capital outlay, and equally important is a dedicated revenue stream to hep pay for maintenance of the expensive equipment.

A relatively new component — yet another challenge – is finding the teachers for the combined RRPS and Community College of Central New Mexico (CNM) eight pathways of computer information systems, electrical, welding, solar, plumbing/pipefitting, HVAC, diesel mechanics, and auto and electrical vehicle mechanics.

CNM President Tracy Hartzler told the attendees that the average of age of skilled works in the trades is 62, “and there’s no one behind them.”

One day before, some CTE-related news came out the RRPS Board of Education meeting. It was noted that the incoming Tesla sales and service facility locating on Santa Ana Pueblo has already expressed interest in the automotive center in the CTE building, anticipating mechanics to work on the EVs, as well as interest in students proficient in robotics.

“We’re excited to have them in the area,” board President Amanda Galbraith said, no doubt thinking about future well-paying jobs for current high school students within the county.

But it was pointed out that the veteran auto mechanics, HVAC technicians and others employed in the CTE fields in the area, would be taking quite a step down in pay to become teachers, not to mention taking the steps necessary to become licensed teachers.

“There are some serious changes we’re going to have to make,” Cleveland said, alluding to the funding portions and teaching needs, certainly not helped during the 2008 recession, when “a lot of people left New Mexico.”

“It’s gonna be hard,” Brandt admitted. “Support is not there yet (for CTE in the legislature).”

Still, he vowed, “We need to get our focus on what’s best for the students.”

Other CTE-related items were pointed out: that the high school students will be learning alongside adults taking the dual-enrollment courses through CNM, and that there will be evening and even weekend classes to make the most-efficient use of the building.

In Hobbs, which recently opened its state-of-the-art Career-Tech facility, which cost $30 million, its project was funded through a partnership – a $10 million bond approved by voters, $10 million from the city and $10 million from area businesses.

Hence the plea Tuesday for those in attendance to seek support from their acquaintances in the legislature, candidates appearing on the November General Election ballot and businesses.

“There’s more dollars in Santa Fe than we’ve ever had,” Cleveland said, hoping to get some headed to the City of Vision for its CTE expansion. “Our kids deserve this – they deserve this opportunity.”