Ready to work - Focus on Enchanted Circle - workforce training programs in Taos, New Mexico

Taos County is training workers to meet the demands of the job market

In a county where unemployment has averaged 16.4 percent from 1992 to 1996, the business community has realized the value of programs that teach vocational skills while infusing dollars into the economy. One indication of this is Dr. Augustine Martinez, campus director of the University of New Mexico in Taos, being named the 1999 Taos businessperson of the year.

Workforce training and business incubation programs in Taos are addressing the unemployment problem. For example, since 1993, when the University of New Mexico became the parent institution of the Taos Education Center and Martinez became director, the annual operating bud. get has quadrupled to $2 million, and the campus now has 26 contract employees and more than 200 adjunct faculty members. Martinez said that federal and state financial aid packages totaling about $2 million are going to UNM Taos students.

"This is a little known factor when considering economic development. Financial aid dollars are spent by students here in the community," he said.

A key to the success of UNM Taos has been flexibility. The jump in enrollment this semester to nearly 1,400 was partly due to recent layoffs at the molybdenum mines in Questa. The campus was able to step in immediately with training classes.

"We have a huge number of displaced miners enrolled," Martinez said. "We provided, on request, a program in heavy equipment utilization. These folks are going to be prepared to work on highway construction."

Martinez stressed the importance of workforce training that matches the market's needs. "Taos has in recent history been tourist-centered; it is a reality here. I would like to work with the tourist indus. try. We hope to train people in the skills that business and industry needs."

With the addition of distance-education classes through satellite feeds from the main campus, students don't have to leave the region to complete bachelors and masters degrees. The Internet is also providing students with better access to learning materials.

Another school providing training is El Valle Technologies, a private institution founded by Michelle Hernandez in 1990. The school offers courses in such areas as computer applications, computer repair, and medical office administration.

El Valle is located in the Taos County Economic Development Corporation site in the town of Taos. The TCEDC supports the development of local businesses by serving as an incubator. In 1996, TCEDC added a 24,000-square-foot business park in 1996, in which more than 85 jobs have been generated. "We target where the jobs are in the community and provide necessary training for them," Hernandez said.

El Valle Technologies has added a public-sector partner, Project SST (Survive, Strive, Thrive), to allow for growth. Horacio Trujillo, the project manager, and Carlos Miera, director of community development for Taos County, have worked together developing the principles for Project SST The organization receives federal funds to assist families getting off welfare.

"There are about 500 families on welfare in Taos County," Trujillo said. "The Project's premise was to break the barriers these folks face to be able to work."

The organization is creating community centers throughout the county, that will provide computer labs, distance learning, commercial kitchens, business incubation and other services. One goal of Project SST is to use technology to establish a global distribution and marketing network for locally produced goods and services.

"With El Valle, we have an ideal private/public partnership," Trujillo said. "Their resources are limited, with just one classroom. They can expand with the use of our centers. (In exchange), they are bringing their technical expertise to us."

Trujillo said Project SST currently has two community centers and is negotiating for locations in the town of Taos and Taos Pueblo, among other areas.

COPYRIGHT 1999 The New Mexico Business Journal
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