City Program Advances Careers, Raises Wages
More than 5,000 employees trained through Job Training Albuquerque since 2020
ALBUQUERQUE – Job Training Albuquerque (JTA), the City of Albuquerque’s workforce development program, has trained more than 5000 employees since 2020 while helping local businesses grow. Over six years, the program has served 468 small businesses, which have added 2,314 jobs, while workers have seen average wage increases of more than 27 percent.
Created in partnership with Central New Mexico Community College (CNM), JTA helps workers build skills and local businesses grow by providing free training in high-demand fields and access to industry-specific credentials.
JTA invests in small businesses and employees alike. Workers gain skills and greater earning power, businesses gain the talent they need to grow, and that growth creates more jobs and economic opportunity throughout Albuquerque.
“We are directly investing in our small businesses and our community,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’re giving local businesses the tools to grow and workers the opportunity to get ahead. When both succeed, the whole city gets stronger.”
By providing professional training at no cost to participating businesses and workers, JTA removes a key barrier to career advancement while helping residents qualify for higher-paying jobs and build more financially secure careers.
More than 55 percent of employees participating in Job Training Albuquerque are women, and more than 53 percent of participants are members of minority communities. The program is designed to make career advancement and economic opportunity accessible to workers across Albuquerque.
“When we make opportunity easier to access, we create more of it,” said Workforce Liaison Justin Hilliard. “This is how we build an economy where Albuquerque families can earn more, local businesses can expand, and more people can share in the city’s growth.”
“Job Training Albuquerque demonstrates what’s possible when education, local government and employers work together,” said CNM President Tracy Hartzler. “Through this partnership, small businesses can invest in their people and build the talent they need to grow, while employees gain in-demand skills that can increase their earning potential. Together, we’re creating greater opportunity and a stronger economy for Albuquerque.”
The program is available to qualifying for-profit and nonprofit businesses with fewer than 500 employees that are headquartered within Albuquerque city limits. JTA offers courses across a range of high-demand fields, including technology, marketing, education, construction, hospitality, human resources, accounting, healthcare, and other professional and technical areas. JTA regularly updates its training opportunities based on feedback from local businesses to reflect the changing needs of Albuquerque employers.
Businesses and employees interested in participating can learn more about eligibility requirements, available courses, and the application process at jobtrainingabq.org.