New Mexico Women in Trades Summit, SkillsUSA New Mexico State Leadership and Skills Conference Work Together to Host Trades-Focused Weekend at CNM

CNM is excited to host part of the 59th annual SkillsUSA New Mexico State Leadership and Skills Conference, as well as the fourth annual New Mexico Women in Trades Summit. This year, these events have combined forces to provide current and potential learners, community partners, and SkillsUSA attendees with a unique opportunity to learn about educational and career options in the trades and Career Technical Education (CTE) fields.

“Bringing these events together is a fantastic way to highlight the wide range of career pathways available in the trades to individuals from across New Mexico,” says Janel Sanchez, State Director of SkillsUSA New Mexico. “Students and their advisors are already traveling to Albuquerque for SkillsUSA, so it made perfect sense to host the Summit during the same weekend.”

“We are so thrilled to host the New Mexico Women in Trades Summit in conjunction with the SkillsUSA conference,” say Joy Forehand, CNM Vice President of Workforce and Community Success. “It’s a wonderful opportunity not only for us to engage with current and potential learners, but to also connect with the instructors, volunteers, and other industry professionals that participate in SkillsUSA and showcase everything the trades industry has to offer.”

This year, more than 1,000 middle school, high school, and college/postsecondary students are competing at the SkillsUSA New Mexico State Leadership and Skills Conference, taking place March 26-29. They will showcase their trades and CTE skills in competitions ranging from welding and aviation maintenance to culinary and robotics.

Among them, 509 female competitors are registered and will be demonstrating their talents in skilled trades and CTE fields, many of which have been historically male dominated. Their participation underscores the importance of events like the New Mexico Women in Trades Summit, which creates space for conversations, hands-on experiences, and industry connections. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded in each SkillsUSA competition, with gold medalists advancing to represent New Mexico at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference this June in Atlanta, Georgia.

Directly after the SkillsUSA closing ceremony on Saturday, March 29, the New Mexico Women in Trades Summit will begin at 1 p.m. on CNM Main Campus in Smith Brasher Hall. This year’s Summit features a more flexible schedule and will include hands-on demonstrations, employer networking opportunities, and family-friendly activities. There will also be CNM Financial Aid and Recruitment representatives present to help attendees register for classes and apply for financial aid on the spot, and refreshments will be provided to all attendees in partnership with The Workforce Connection Center of Central New Mexico.

“We really wanted to make the event more accessible to working learners, so we shifted to hosting the event on a Saturday and have made sure the schedule was accommodating to folks who need to come and go,” Joy says. “We know people have other commitments, and this new format makes it easier to drop by the Summit at any point.”

Looking ahead, both Joy and Janel are excited about the impact these events will have on learners while showcasing the trades industry, which is in need of a larger pipeline of skilled workers to fill high-quality careers.

“Watching SkillsUSA competitors in action each year is truly inspiring," says Janel Sanchez. "Competing is a transformative experience, and I’m excited that this year, students can also take part in the New Mexico Women in Trades Summit to explore the many career paths available to them after graduation.”

“These events tie in so nicely together, and I’m excited that the Summit can provide a space for the trades to be highlighted and people from all over New Mexico, especially women, to learn about the readily available, high-paying careers in the trades,” Joy says.

Want to attend the New Mexico Women in Trades Summit? The event is free, but registration is encouraged. If you’re an employer or community partner, interested in hosting an info table? Please fill out the Partner Registration Form.

Interested in volunteering during the SkillsUSA conference? Please fill out this Volunteer Form.