GALLUP, N.M. (KRQE) – In a rural part of New Mexico, students have the opportunity to invest in their future; whether it’s higher education or valuable life skills. “If it wasn’t for the program then I probably wouldn’t be here today,” said Kevin Kee, General Manager at Point S American Tire.
The Center for Career and Technical Education at the University of New Mexico’s Gallup campus is designed to give students a jumpstart into their future.
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“I think it opens up a lot of opportunities for high school students in our community to either think about what the next few years is going to look like for them starting junior year of high school,” said Karla Baldonado, Director of the Center for Career and Technical Education at UNM-Gallup.
Welding, construction, and automotive technology are just some of the twelve programs offered to students.
“Several of the programs of study offer industry-recognized credentials to the students. Such as in the culinary program, where students have the ability to take the exam for the ServSafe credential,” said Ann Jarvis, Chair of the UNM-Gallup Business and Applied Technologies Division.
Students use these programs to connect with others in their field of interest and those who work with them firsthand say they see success. “She ended up being placed at a local elementary school, fell in love with teaching, she got her bachelor’s, master’s, got her EDD in education. And now she owns her own business,” said Jarvis.
There are even some former students who keep the cycle going. “I was in that program before when I first started high school. So, I started in the back, worked my way up all the way, and now I’m the general manager,” said Kee.
The general manager for Point S American Tire, one of the many local partnerships, said students grow through hands-on work. “When the kids come in, they have no experience at all, but when they’re done with us, they have the experience to change tires, put tires on, balance them, fix flats,” said Kee.
The CCTE leadership said many of these students go on to secure permanent jobs with the businesses they work with.
The program offers a two-hour course during the school week starting back up again on Monday.
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