Success Stories
Job Training Albuquerque Wins Statewide Recognition
When the City of Albuquerque launched Job Training Albuquerque (JTA) in 2020, the goal was simple but ambitious: help local businesses grow by investing directly in their people. Five years later, that investment is paying off in a big way.
At the 2025 Governor’s Economic Development Conference, JTA earned the Talent Development & Retention Award from the New Mexico Economic Development Association (NM IDEA), a statewide honor recognizing programs that strengthen workforce skills, expand opportunity, and build a more inclusive economy.
Administered by the City’s Economic Development Department in partnership with Central New Mexico Community College (CNM), JTA offers free, customized training to small businesses with 500 or fewer employees. Since its launch, the program has helped more than 3,800 Albuquerque workers gain new skills, partnered with nearly 400 businesses, and contributed to the creation of over 1,600 jobs. Collectively, JTA graduates have generated more than $78 million in additional earning power, with an average wage increase of 25 percent.
“Job Training Albuquerque is creating real opportunities for our residents to build rewarding careers,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “It’s proof that when we invest in local talent, we grow a stronger, more resilient city.”
Behind the program’s success is a team at the City’s Economic Development Department dedicated to removing barriers and creating pathways to upward mobility.
“We’re proud to see JTA recognized at the state level,” said Economic Development Director Max Gruner. “This award reflects the hard work of our staff, our partners at CNM, and the commitment of local businesses who believe in developing their people.”
More than just a training program, JTA has become a model for how cities can grow their economies from the inside out. by empowering workers, supporting small businesses, and building a workforce ready for the jobs of tomorrow.