New Mexico Job Challenge

🔥 April 18, 2026, was one for the books!

New Mexico Job Challenge Cycle 2 teamed up with the New Mexico Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention, Team Warriors', and Cadets from University of New Mexico ROTC at the State JROTC Meet at Cibola High School.
This high-intensity competition had everyone in full action mode 💪 running drills, pushing limits, and showing what real discipline and teamwork look like. You could feel the focus and determination in every event. The energy was unreal!

Big respect to everyone who showed up and gave it their all.

New Mexico Job ChalleNGe Academy is greatly appreciative of the support from the New Mexico Automotive Dealers Association who connected NMJCA to Rich Ford President, Darin Wade. He facilitated Rich Ford Automotive Dealership Fixed Operations Director, Crystal Switzer, and Service Manager, Jerome Trujillo NMJCA to visit, tour and present information to our Job ChalleNGe Associates enrolled in the Automotive Pathway for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification.
They provided valuable information about employment opportunities and a viable career pathway within the automotive industry. They outlined the wide range of roles available at an automotive dealership. They shared their own real-life experiences which demonstrated the opportunities for career growth within a dealership.

New Mexico Job ChalleNGe Academy is excited to develop this community partnership with Rich Ford.

Cycle 2 New Mexico Job ChalleNGe Associates joined cycle 50 New Mexico Youth ChalleNGe Cadets in Santa Fe earlier this week for an early am Physical Training session alongside National Guardsmen and Adjutant General Miguel Aguilar. NM Job ChalleNGe Associates enjoyed their visit and the opportunity to participate.

Shout out to both NM Youth ChalleNGe Cadets & NM Job ChalleNGe Associates as they persevere through their ChalleNGe program journey!

Cycle 3 of the New Mexico Job ChalleNGe Academy kicks off July 26, 2026 in Albuquerque and runs through December 2026!

This program is open to all NMYCA graduates ages 16–20—don’t miss your chance to take the next step toward your future!

📌 Apply here:
https://forms.office.com/g/TeruVcR0B6?origin=lprLink

⏳ Deadline: May 1, 2026
Spots are limited and pathways are filling up fast!

✨ Step into your future—apply today!

forms.office.com

Associate Sanchez and Associate Strong have officially completed their CNA coursework and are now stepping into the clinical phase of their journey!

This is a huge milestone! As they prepare to care for patients in an actual health care environment.

We are incredibly proud of their hard work and can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make!

Hats off 🎉🎓 to the seven New Mexico Job Challenge Associates who chose a pathway built on skill, grit, and real-world impact. They successfully completed the UA Local 412 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee Pre-Apprenticeship program. Additionally, they completed the residential phase of the New Mexico Job Challenge program.

Through their hard work, perseverance, and the instruction and support of the UA 412 team, they have been placed with employers statewide to continue their career paths in the Apprenticeship Readiness program. These are paid placements leading to employment. Trade programs don’t just teach jobs—they build careers that keep our communities running.

Congratulations to:
• NMJCA Associate, Noe Acosta Loya
• NMJCA Associate, Romeo Gomez
• NMJCA Associate, Angel Granados
• NMJCA Associate, Luis Loya-Perez
• NMJCA Associate, Izaac Martinez
• NMJCA Associate, Izahya Moreno
• NMJCA Associate, Nevaeh Prieto

Here’s to our graduates who are stepping into the workforce and making a difference every single day. The future is in your hands—and it looks strong. 🔨🚜🦺🧰

A great day at UNM’s EMT Program! 🚑
Our associates participated in hands-on activities and got a closer look at what it takes to work in emergency medical services. Experiences like this help connect our students to real career pathways. more pathway pictures coming soon!

Today our Job Challenge Associates in the Trades Pathway had the incredible opportunity to tour the Interstate 25 bridge project thanks to Isaac Sanchez from the New Mexico Department of Transportation.

Isaac took the time to coordinate a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most significant infrastructure projects in our state. Our associates were able to see firsthand the scale, precision, and teamwork required to complete a major bridge construction project. From heavy equipment operations to structural work and project management, this experience connected classroom learning directly to real-world application.

Experiences like this matter. When young men and women can stand on an active job site, ask questions, and talk directly with professionals in the field, it makes the trades tangible. It turns “maybe someday” into “I can do this.”

We are grateful to Isaac Sanchez and the NM Department of Transportation for investing time in the next generation of skilled trades professionals. Partnerships like this build more than bridges — they build futures.

Our NMJCA associates had the opportunity to sharpen their trade skills at TLC Plumbing Heating Cooling Electrical gaining real-world experience with copper piping and torch techniques.

Experiences like this build confidence, technical skill, and career readiness in high-demand fields. We’re grateful for strong community partnerships that help create real opportunities for our associates.

Had an incredible trip to Kirtland Air Force Base with our Local U.A. 412 associates! 🇺🇸 It was an honor to visit and learn more about the amazing work being done by the 210 RED HORSE Squadron, 150th Maintenance Group, 150th Operations Group, and the 250th Intelligence Squadron. Thank you for your time, hospitality, and for all you do in service to our state and nation. We truly appreciate your dedication and commitment!