Job Training Albuquerque Fuels Creation of Over 1,100 Jobs

ALBUQUERQUE – Job Training Albuquerque (JTA), the City of Albuquerque’s leading workforce initiative in partnership with Central New Mexico Community College (CNM), has reached new milestones in its mission to upskill the city’s workforce and strengthen small businesses. Since its launch in 2020, JTA has now enrolled over 2,000 employees from more than 300 Albuquerque-based small businesses, with reported outcomes that include the creation of over 1,100 new jobs resulting in more than $50 million in added earning power.

Participating businesses have also reported an average wage increase of 25.76% for employees who completed JTA programs. These accomplishments show the program’s critical role in building a robust local economy and expanding career opportunities in key sectors such as technology, hospitality, healthcare, and construction.

“The city’s investment in our workforce is making a real difference for our small businesses and their employees,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “This program isn’t just about training—it’s about creating lasting economic impacts by giving workers the skills they need to succeed and helping businesses grow.”

“The Job Training Albuquerque program continues to deliver impressive results for Albuquerque small businesses, employees in our community, and our local economy,” said CNM President Tracy Hartzler. “We’re proud of this terrific partnership with the City of Albuquerque that helps local employers connect their employees with free upskilling opportunities that improve business productivity and bottom lines, while also empowering employees with new skills that elevate their career prospects. CNM is honored to provide employees in our small business community with a wide range of training opportunities that increase their skills and earning power. We look forward to JTA’s continued growth and success.”

JTA provides a wide range of skills-based training programs tailored to meet the needs of Albuquerque’s growing industries, offered free of charge to small business owners and their staff. Small businesses with 500 or fewer employees can apply to participate in courses that range from business management to technical certifications. In 2024, JTA expanded its offerings to include hospitality training in partnership with the New Mexico Restaurant Association, helping to address critical workforce shortages in the restaurant and hospitality sectors. The program has also added the Grant Plant as a new training provider which offers a federal grants management training program that has helped clients secure over $283 million dollars since 2003.

“Hitting these milestones shows our City is committed to empowering residents with the skills they need to thrive,” said Justin Hilliard, Workforce Development Liaison for the City of Albuquerque. “The significant wage increases and job creation shows that this program has continued to grow and get results.”

Since its inception, JTA has continued to support Albuquerque’s economic development by providing businesses and workers with the training and resources they need to grow and succeed in a competitive marketplace. The program’s free training opportunities have resulted in measurable benefits to small businesses, helping them navigate workforce challenges while creating sustainable career pathways for employees.

For more information on how to enroll in upcoming training courses, visit jobtrainingabq.org.