About 200 people gathered at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) for a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday marking the beginning construction of a new trades facility. According to a release by CNM on June 29, the new facility will be about 61,500 square feet in size.

"On behalf of CNM, we look forward to educating and training thousands and thousands of future skilled trades workers right here on this site," said CNM President Tracy Harzler. "And these skilled trades workers will help power New Mexico’s economy for decades to come.” 

The project is scheduled to be completed and opened in the fall term of 2025. It will provide a space for various programs within CNM. A main aspect of the facility is the creation of state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories for CNM's carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, welding and Industrial Automation Technology programs. This purpose-built space offers students the chance to engage in hands-on learning, while honing their skills and knowledge in these trade disciplines.

Those attending the ceremony included Harzler, CNM board members, leaders from the K-12 and higher education sectors, representatives from the project's design and construction firms, trade union representatives, industry professionals and students, faculty and staff from CNM.

“With this groundbreaking today, and as more young people and community members understand the prolific career opportunities that exist in the trades, I think we’re about to enter a Trades Renaissance in New Mexico,” said CNM President Tracy Harzler according to a press release by CNM.

Rita Johnson is an alumna of the CNM Electrical Trades program and was present at the groundbreaking ceremony. Her career as a Journeyman Electrician led her back to CNM, and she has played an integral part in preparing the construction site for the project, according to the release.

“CNM gave me and my family a path forward and a career that I love,” said Rita Johnson according to a press release by CNM. “That, and the college gave me the knowledge I needed to kick butt at my career.”