Workforce Development

Workforce Development

The Laboratory has built and continues to build relationships with regional colleges to support pipeline and workforce development efforts. There are now 8 formal partnerships in places with regional colleges and high schools for workforce development pipeline programs. These programs, done in collaboration between the Partnerships and Pipeline Office and the Community Partnerships Office will provide staffing for key programs for the NNSA. Many of these programs support targeted educational programs or skill development for current or future LANL staff.

Our partnerships include:

Associate of Applied Science in Radiation Protection 

• Partner: Northern NM College
• Provides Radiation Control Technician pipeline
• Aligned curriculum with national and Laboratory skill set needs 

STEM Core 

• Partner: Santa Fe Community College
• Funding by National Science Foundation
• Prepares students for Tech professions at the Laboratory
• Program coordinator assists students in Computer Science/Information Technology and Engineering majors, who take part in the program through a cohort model

Associate of Applied Science in Engineering Machining Technologies 

• Partner: Santa Fe Community College
• Aligned curriculum with National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Level I & II and Laboratory skill set needs
• Program uses a cohort model, with the Laboratory hiring most of the students as interns/student employees
• Students will spend one day a week on-site at the Laboratory beginning their first semester

Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering 

• Partner: UNM-LA and UNM-Albuquerque
• Pilot semester began Fall 2020
• UNM-Albuquerque (main campus) teaming with UNM-LA to offer upper level courses to be taught locally on UNM-LA campus
• Current and prospective LANL employees can pursue a full Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in Los Alamos 

High School Craft Partnerships

• Partners: NMBCTC (Union Partners) , UNM Taos, Santa Fe Community College
• Higher Education Partners: Luna Community College, Santa Fe Community College, UNM-Taos
• High School Partners: Pecos High School, Taos and Questa High Schools, Bernalillo High School, Los Alamos High School, Santa Fe Public Schools ECO High School
• Use of National Association of Building Trades Multi-Core Craft Curriculum
• Allows for students who successfully complete the course to have direct entry with a Union (e.g. UA 412: Plumbers and Pipefitters)