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A strong workforce strategy is no longer just about filling jobs. It is about building aligned systems that help individuals understand career pathways, develop relevant skills and connect to the evolving demands of the economy at every stage of life. As New Mexico continues to see growth across industries ranging from aerospace and advanced manufacturing to healthcare, energy and technology, long-term competitiveness will increasingly depend on how effectively we align education, workforce development, employers and economic strategy.

Against that backdrop, the recent report highlighting that roughly 32,000 young people in New Mexico are neither working nor in school should reinforce the importance of connecting students early to career pathways with direction and purpose.

Across the sa国际传媒官网网页入口 metropolitan area, that work is underway.

In the sa国际传媒官网网页入口 metro, employers are investing, expanding and competing for talent. Communicating where career potential exists begins with understanding what industries are growing, which occupations are in demand, the skills those careers require and how individuals can see themselves participating in the future economy.

That is where strong alignment becomes critical.

Long-term competitiveness requires building systems that meet individuals where they are while helping them gain the skills, confidence, experiences and professional connections necessary to grow over time. For many young people, that starts by helping them better understand how learning connects to careers, industries and a future they can clearly envision.

The represent a strong example of workforce and education alignment in our region. Rather than treating education and workforce development as separate conversations, the model intentionally connects classroom learning to career pathways, industry exposure, internships and real-world experiences.

Research consistently shows that students are more likely to stay engaged when education feels relevant and connected to future success. Beginning in ninth grade, students explore pathways aligned with both their interests and regional industry demand, including health sciences, engineering, business, skilled trades and technology. Over four years, students progress from career exploration to technical skill development and workplace experience through internships and capstone projects.

The success of the Academies of sa国际传媒官网网页入口 also reflects something increasingly important in today鈥檚 economy: Workforce development is a shared responsibility. Strong outcomes require alignment across schools, employers, higher education institutions, workforce organizations, nonprofits and civic leadership.

When that alignment exists, the impact extends far beyond individual students. It strengthens talent retention, supports economic mobility, improves workforce readiness and enhances the long-term competitiveness of sa国际传媒官网网页入口 and New Mexico.

If we want stronger economic outcomes in the future, we must continue investing in systems that connect education, workforce strategy and career pathways earlier and more intentionally.

The Academies of sa国际传媒官网网页入口 provide a strong foundation to do exactly that.

Chad Matheson is the president and CEO of the sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Regional Economic Alliance.