New Mexico jobs through apprenticeships plans incoming government

New ways to get more jobs–that’s the plan for New Mexico’s next Workforce Secretary appointee.

Las Cruces State Rep Bill McCamley was appointed by governor-elect Michelle Lujan Grisham Wednesday to head the Department of Workforce Solutions

If confirmed by the State Senate McCamley would oversee work regulations and job growth.

They already have plans to create new jobs.

McCamley has been a strong supporter for border trade growth meaning more warehouses like this one in Santa Teresa could be opening in southern New Mexico, along with increased manufacturing and logistics. For the state as a whole McCamley believes apprenticeships will help.

“There’s a lot of states around the country that are doing apprenticeship programs that are a lot more advanced than we have here in New Mexico. We’re going to be looking at doing better in that regard so that people who want to get a two year degree or a certificate can do so easily and get paid for it, and then go out and get a good job,” McCamley said.

The programs could help across several fields.

“We need a lot more doctors and physicists and engineers, and that’s a real problem in the state: finding folks to fill those jobs, and two year degrees. That’s what I keep talking about–electricians, plumbers, medical technicians and nurses.”

It won’t be only with established fields like plumbing and medicine, McCamley said he’s also looking at emerging industries like aerospace with Spaceport America and working to make sure companies turn to New Mexico instead of Texas or California.

For that, he said, New Mexico needs to develop a stronger infrastructure, workforce, and have available financing.

“You gotta have the roads and bridges, water, wastewater, and most importantly, the internet necessary for you to do business. If you don’t have those things, or a building, a lot of times a business won’t either start of move there,” McCamley said.

McCamley said he will take the chance of being part of the state cabinet to remind Albuquerque and Santa Fe there’s opportunity in the southern half of the state.

McCamley would be submitted for Senate confirmation once the new government takes seat in January.

Lujan Grisham will be sworn in January 1.