Region seeks skilled workers

Eastern New Mexico employers need more workers skilled in trade jobs. Those include HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), electrical, truck-driving and other positions.

That was the word Thursday when the Curry County Chamber of Commerce and Clovis Economic Development hosted a "Closing the Skills Gap" meeting.

The groups gathered to discuss the skill requirements of the local labor force and what programs local colleges should consider adopting to meet the needs of community employers.

Tina Dziuk, executive director of CED, put the event together to express the shortages of the labor market in Clovis. Guests included interim Clovis Community College President Robin Jones and Eastern New Mexico University President James Johnston.

"Having a college or university in your community is a tremendous asset, if we work together and we use those things together," Johnston said. "I reach a point where I can grow the university to a point, after which I need the community to have that same mindset, in that we grow together with what we do."

The event was an open discussion that included 25 employers and economic development partners, including New Mexico's Department of Workforce Solutions. They talked about desired skill sets for employees.

While trade jobs were a focus, employers also said workers are needed with computer-based skills, and that most of their employees are not well versed in Excel or Word Doc programs.

Jones said that while she understands there is a demand for certain professions, decisions to have more funding dedicated to those programs have to be processed by the state Higher Education Department. She said that for these programs to exist, there needs to be evidence of a high demand for enrollment. That's something the colleges and the community can work on together.

Jones also said it has been difficult to find instructors who meet certain requisites to be hired, while following within their budget constraints.

"We'll have to build the space and buy the equipment. I'm not saying it's not doable, it's just not going to be done quickly," Jones said.

"...ENMU Roswell has an HVAC program, so we are doing something with them so that we can get that capability in the area."

Jones said there seems to be a disconnect between what jobs are available to local college students and what is advertised to them. Damon Burkstaller, business coach with NM Workforce Connection, suggested the colleges and community host more job fairs or post job boards.

The event ended after two hours of discussion. Dzuik said she hopes to have more meetings like this in the future, so that the economic well-being of Clovis is prioritized.