Dr. Kelvin Sharp, president of New Mexico Junior College, and Dr. John Gratton, president of New Mexico State University – Carlsbad, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a partnership between their institutions to provide enhanced workforce training solutions for companies in southeast New Mexico and the Permian Basin. The intent of the agreement is to establish a cooperative relationship between the two schools that avoids duplication of efforts, and allows each to expand key industry partnerships in support of developing a highly skilled workforce for area industries and companies.

“Skilled employees are needed in Lea and Eddy Counties, and this partnership will ensure more people can be trained and be competent in their desired field,” said Dr. Sharp. “We want students and employers to have easy access to expert training from our colleges.”

Dr. Gratton concurred: “Our collaboration will make workforce training more efficient to students and employers, and give them the confidence that they have received the best training available. With our two colleges working together, Lea and Eddy Counties will be the premiere sites for skilled workers.”

Dr. Gratton went on: “NMJC and NMSU-Carlsbad are not in competition with each other. We each have great faculty and staff dedicated to providing education and training for our industry partners. This agreement sets the stage for each of us to bring our skills and experience together.”

Dr. Sharp concluded: “Lea and Eddy counties are the center of industry critical to all the citizens of New Mexico. Our two schools have long served our respective areas, and this new agreement will give us a chance to take our educational services to an even higher level.”

The MOU allows the workforce training departments to provide workforce training, education and employer services for the oil and gas industry in each county. NMJC and NMSU-Carlsbad will also exchange information and resources with each other concerning workforce training. Proposals to companies will be coordinated, and, if applicable, with appropriate economic development institutions.  The two colleges will also refer clients to each other, and explore collaborative workforce training activities.

With this MOU, both NMJC and NMSU-Carlsbad will have the opportunity of bringing private business, education, economic development organizations, and the public together to address issues, set policy and support initiatives related to workforce development.

For more information, contact Jeff McCool, NMJC Vice-President of Workforce Training: 575-492-4711 or jmccool@nmjc.edu.