CNM Breaks Ground on New 61,000-Square-Foot Trades Facility

The facility will serve as a training ground for the next generation of skilled workers

June 29, 2023

Construction is ready to officially begin on CNM’s new state-of-the-art skilled trades facility.

During a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning, CNM President Tracy Harzler was joined by a crowd of around 200, which included CNM Board members, K-12 and higher education leaders, representatives from the the design and construction firms for the project, trades union and industry representatives, and CNM students, faculty and staff.

“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,” President Hartlzer said.

Also joining President Hartzler during the groundbreaking was Rita Johnson, who graduated from CNM’s Electrical Trades program and has gone onto a successful career as a Journeyman Electrician. Her career brought her back to CNM as she was involved in the prepping of the construction site.

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

When the 61,000-square-foot facility opens for the 2025 Fall Term, it will house classroom and lab space for CNM’s Carpentry, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Welding, and Industrial Automation Technology programs.

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

Scroll below to see a full photo gallery from the ceremony.