Industry professionals tour new Rio Rancho trade school

RIO RANCHO — Professionals in skilled trades met Wednesday to tour Rio Rancho Public Schools’ new career-technical education high school and brainstorm ways they could partner together.

The walk-through of RioTECH (Technical Education and Career Hub) and roundtable discussions came during the Sandoval Economic Alliance’s monthly breakfast meeting.

Each month, SEA chooses a different location for the meeting, and this time, it was RioTECH, which opened in August. The school, in partnership with Central New Mexico Community College, offers Rio Rancho high school students the ability to earn college credits in a variety of skilled trades. The primary hope, school officials have said, is to boost the workforce pipeline for Sandoval County and keep jobs in New Mexico.

Wednesday’s meeting came as the Rio Rancho region has made headlines over its economy in the last several months. In July, Intel Corp. announced it would cut 227 positions from its Rio Rancho plant. In August, the New Mexico Economic Development Department announced that California-based Castelion Corporation is considering Sandoval County as a future site of a rocket motor production facility, which could bring up to 300 high-paying jobs, among other economic benefits. Lectrosonics announced its new ownership and expansion plans in May

Fred Shepherd, president and CEO Sandoval Economic Alliance, did not mention those headlines but instead told attendees the story of a previous joint venture between Intel and Utah-based company Micron that would bring jobs and technology to New Mexico. According to Shepard, Intel employees protested to their superiors about moving jobs to Albuquerque when they read statistics on crime and schools, but felt much better when SEA provided them information about Rio Rancho and Sandoval County.

“They said, ‘Hey, we can do that.’ The big key in all of that was the schools,” Shepherd said. “I don’t know if I can stress enough the importance that schools and the education system plays in economic development. As an economic developer, I say: It is vitally important to support our schools.”

RioTECH serves approximately 150 students in grades 10-12. They can choose from eight “pathways,” including automotive technology, computer information systems (networking), digital media, electrical, plumbing and gas fitting, residential carpentry, residential HVAC, and welding, according to the school’s website. Any of the pathways could lead students to earn credentials, certificates or an associate’s degree.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Larry Davis, the school district’s CTE director, said the school district is doing “phenomenal things” because of partnerships with industry professionals.

“You’re the best at what you do in the industry. We value you ... but we’re the best at education,” Davis said. “I have to believe when we combine those two skill sets, we position our students and community for success.”

He noted the typical day for RioTECH students, which involves a first and second period before launching into a CTE course.

“Students come to school — they do what they need to do — but the CTE program really provides that experiential learning and that practical application piece,” Davis said. “It all starts coming together, so it makes them a more well-rounded individual for what lies ahead.”

Following his remarks, industry professionals and school officials held breakout discussions assisted by RioTECH student ambassadors. They discussed things that industry could better understand about schools and things that schools could do better to meet the needs of industry.

One breakout group, which included Kriss Walton, vice president of finance for Rio Rancho-based company Insight Lighting, suggested that students should “meet employers in the community to understand what kinds of jobs can be placed there.”

Walton and others then joined RioTECH Principal Kris Johnson for a tour of the school.

Following the tour, Walton described the school as “beyond anything I’ve seen before.”

Walton said he attended the meeting to not only learn about RioTECH but also make connections with students so they know when they graduate there is a local employer they can go to.

“I heard comments from the students that they’re very tech-savvy — and that’s what we need,” Johnson said.

Frank Gallegos, Intel’s director of public affairs for New Mexico, said that he is “blown away” with RioTECH.

Gallegos called the school “critical to workforce development,” not only for his company but also for the state’s economy. Places like RioTECH can help fill Intel’s “pipeline.”

Gallegos said he was amazed by the RioTECH students’ knowledge and entrepreneurism.

Intel wants to focus, he said, on continuing to partner with the school district, RioTECH and CNM in order to have that “workforce for the future.”

“It’s exciting,” Gallegos said.