Electrical contractor urges support of apprenticeship program

As the president of an electrical contracting company my family established in Gallup over 60 years ago, I know the critical importance of well-trained, fully qualified electrical workers.

Since the inception of our company, we have been and continue to be a sponsor of the joint apprenticeship program by the National Electrical Contractors Association/International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Our electrical program, which has grown nearly 30% since 2021, is comprised of 7% women, 16% Native American and over 60% minorities. And I know firsthand New Mexico continues to face a shortage of skilled construction workers, and House Bill 5 proposes a solution by creating the Workforce Development and Apprenticeship Fund. Supported by labor organizations and construction industry associations, the bill recently passed the House with strong bipartisan backing.

The proposed fund aims to boost registered apprenticeship programs, addressing the growing demand for workers in various construction trades. With a 30% growth in program participation from 2019 to 2023, the bill seeks to sustain this momentum. The importance of apprenticeship programs is highlighted by their proven ability to build a highly skilled workforce, providing access to well-paying jobs and helping bridge the skills gap in the construction industry.

Currently, only 4% of the construction workforce in New Mexico is enrolled in registered programs, a figure the bill aims to improve. Time is of the essence, as federal grants from acts like the Infrastructure Investment Act and the Chips Act requires the involvement of apprentices from registered programs. As a strong proponent of the bill, I want to stress the urgency of investing critical resources into these programs.

Investing in apprenticeship programs addresses the immediate skills shortage and positions New Mexico to capitalize on high-wage career opportunities and attract new projects and funding.

The legislation is through the House, and I urge the Senate to stand unified in support of HB 5 so we may seize this economic development opportunity and strengthen the state’s workforce.

Linda Byrd is president of Clifton Electric Co. Inc. in Gallup.