Program expansion in collaboration with the Permian Strategic Partnership
Carlsbad, NM—Skillpoint Alliance Permian Basin—a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides fast-paced, no-cost job training in the skilled trades to underserved and under-accessed populations—announced its partnership with Southeast New Mexico College to offer its free pre-apprentice electrical program at the campus located in Carlsbad.
“We are excited to announce our expansion into New Mexico and want to thank Southeast New Mexico College for hosting our first electrical class in the state, Kevin Brackmeyer, CEO of Skillpoint Alliance, said. “This partnership will allow us to provide resources to residents in the Carlsbad area who are looking to improve their lives by obtaining meaningful careers in the skilled trades.”
Participants in Skillpoint Alliance programs are often returning to the workforce after time away, having experienced a previous hardship, or are looking to learn foundational skills that will set them on a new pathway to employment in a short amount of time.
The four-week pre-apprentice electrical class prepares students for work as entry-level electricians. The course covers electrical safety, hand tools, power tools, and the differences between residential and commercial employment job functions. Participants obtain their OSHA 10 certification during the program and will receive assistance to obtain their New Mexico Department of Licensing and Registration (NMDLR) Electrical Apprentice License.
The pre-apprentice electrical class also aims to bolster soft skills like income management, resume writing and interviewing skills in order to create a well-rounded student and optimal employee.
“Southeast New Mexico College is excited to collaborate with Skillpoint Alliance Permian Basin to offer these critical skills to meet the workforce needs of the Carlsbad area and provide career advancing opportunities for the residents in our community,” “There is a major lack of workforce training programs in our region, and Southeast New Mexico College is committed to providing professional skills development to contribute to the economic development in the Permian Basin.”
Skillpoint Alliance was first established in 1994 in Austin, TX when then Mayor Bruce Todd called upon the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce Task Force on Apprenticeships and Career Pathways for Austin to create a solution to the lack of apprenticeship and craft training in the City of Austin. Since then, Skillpoint Alliance has become the premier provider of workforce training in Central Texas.
Skillpoint Alliance expanded into West Texas in 2022, establishing classes in Midland, Odessa and Pecos. The expansion was made possible with support from the Permian Strategic Partnership. The PSP was created to strengthen and improve the quality of life for Permian Basin residents by partnering with federal, state, and local leaders to develop and implement strategic plans that foster superior schools, safer roads, quality healthcare, affordable housing and a trained workforce.
Initial funds to expand the program to the Permian Basin were provided through a grant allocated by the PSP. The training program has been funded through its first four years. After the grant period, the training program will have become an established part of the workforce ecosystem in the Permian Basin, and will self-fund through a mix of philanthropic, state and local dollars.
Interested parties can visit https://skillpointalliance.org/permian-basin/ for more information, including hiring details, about the training programs.
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About Skillpoint Alliance
Skillpoint Alliance is a 501(c)3 workforce development organization that provides in-demand workforce training to vulnerable members of the Central Texas community. The organization partners with local industry to offer unique professional training and educational opportunities at no cost to participants. Skillpoint Alliance was founded in 1994 and has since become the premier provider of rapid workforce training in the nine-county area in and around Austin. Skillpoint Alliance has been named one of the top ten job training programs in the country by Jobs for the Future and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Skillpoint Alliance works continuously to build strong partnerships with local businesses, foundations, community-based organizations, and government agencies in order to grow and support its mission of connecting low-income individuals with career pathways in growing local industries. In 2018, Skillpoint Alliance launched a redesigned and customized Pre-Apprentice Electrical class, followed by a Pre-Apprentice Plumbing program in 2019—and concurrently offers HVAC Technician training, Certified Production Technician, and various other short-term and customizable training options. www.skillpointalliance.org
About Permian Strategic Partnership
Permian Strategic Partnership aims to strengthen and improve the quality of life for Permian Basin residents by partnering with local leaders to develop and implement strategic plans that foster superior schools, safer roads, quality healthcare, affordable housing and a trained workforce. The companies involved with the PSP will bring people, expertise, resources and leadership to develop solutions in partnership with local leaders and communities. Learn more at www.permianpartnership.org.
About Southeast New Mexico College
Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) is the oldest and newest community college in New Mexico. SENMC was founded in 1950 as the Carlsbad Instructional Center, the state’s first two-year college. Ten years later, the Center became a branch campus of New Mexico State University.