Silver City, NM – The Department of Community and Workforce Development is one of the finest programs offered at Western New Mexico University, with four categories that can help students excel in the area of applied technologies.
The program is divided into four different trades: Welding, Construction, Electrical, and Computer Technology. Each category offers one Fast Track Certificate Program and one Associate Degree. The Certificate Program offers up to four levels of certification, not including core certifications, and only takes around six to twelve weeks to accomplish. The Associates Degree takes up to two years to obtain.
Welding Technology deals with basic metals, such as aluminum alloys, stainless steel, carbon steel, and sheet metal. Joining the program will give a student the proper knowledge on how to weld oxyacetylene, tungsten arc welding (tig), gas metal arc welding (mig), shielded metal arc, plates, and pipes. Students can also learn specific styles of cutting such as plasma, oxyfuel and gas metal arc. The program uses “green” technologies, and is environmentally friendly.
Students in the welding courses are prepared to attain American Welding Society (AWS) certifications on both a national and international level, with the abilities and skills to weld anywhere in the world. Even dual-enrollment high school students have been able to obtain International certifications before even finishing high school, giving them wider possibilities after graduation. Careers found in these areas include fabricators, assemblers, boilermakers, jewelers, die makers, plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters and jobs in structural steel.
The Western New Mexico University Electrical program, taught by instructor William Sorrel, ELT, was recently listed among the top 2016-17 schools and programs across the United States. By studying Electrical Technology, one could learn how to develop motors, controls, fire alarm systems, and residential and commercial electrical systems. The program also gives students knowledge in programmable logic controllers, (PLC) which is the foundation to Mechatronics.
Some classes that are included in this area of technology are Electrical Theory, Blueprints and Conductors, Electrical Service Installation, and Advanced Motor Controls and Lighting, along with many specific courses related to Solar, Renewable and Nonrenewable energies and green technologies. These courses are ideal for someone looking for a career as an electrical engineer, technician, drafter, lineman, power-line installer, designer, or PLC software developer.
Construction Technology, taught by Instructor James “Bub” Graham, focuses on the construction business and the many different construction techniques commonly used in conventional residential and commercial construction. Students learn framing, flooring, walls, roofs, metals, and site building, quotes, blueprints, layouts, and more. Upon completion of the program, a student could find work as construction laborers, managers, carpenters, building inspectors, contractors, and sub-contractors.
In Computer Technology IT students learn how to configure servers and desktop operating systems, maintain and upgrade PC hardware and software, and design and troubleshoot Local Area Networks. Students can also receive Microsoft certificates and certifications on both a National and International level. Careers in this field would include computer system analytics, computer network architects, computer operators, and computer hardware engineer. The program trains students in cyber security and the latest technological IT advancements.
Skilled craftsmen are in high demand on both national and global scales, with the typical annual salary for a craftsman varying from $60K to $250k. Students are taking advantage of this opportunity and it shows in the classroom. According to Welding Instructor Ray Garcia, most of his classes either hit or go slightly over maximum limit for students, claiming that this year is his busiest year yet.
While the education comes quickly learning, taking between three to twelve weeks for a certificate, Welding Instructor Larry Martinez suggests that students are better off going for a two-year Associates Degree instead.
At WNMU, the Department of Community and Workforce Development is dedicated to the program. A significant number of their students graduate each term and the program even does it’s own recruiting. The Applied Technology program even offers students the opportunity to enroll at any time in semester, stating that their enrollment process is extremely efficient. If a student drops out of a class in the middle of the year and needs to maintain a certain amount of classes for whatever reason, the student can sign up for an applied technology class.
The WNMU Office of External Affairs is very proud of its Applied Technology program and its ability to offer students the opportunity to learn professional craft skills. Students can still enroll in the Welding, Electrical, Construction and Computer Technology courses, as well as the Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN) program. Applied Tech will also be launching classes for Pharmacy Technicians.
The Department of Community and Workforce Development is located in the Juan Chacon Building and for more information call (575) 538-6290 or visit appliedtech.wnmu.edu.
Additional Reporting by Eric Lowe
