UNM-Valencia eyes Workforce Training Center expansion if voters approve GO Bond 3

The University of New Mexico-Valencia campus could benefit from a $1 million expansion of its Workforce Training Center if New Mexico voters approve this year's GO Bond 3.

General Obligation Bond 3 will ask voters to authorize the state to issue more than $351 million in bonds to fund public higher education institutions, special public schools and tribal schools in New Mexico. Approval of the bond would not raise taxes.

To accommodate its auto shop program, the UNM-Valencia Workforce Training Center will require significant modifications and expansion to the existing building and its systems. The space configuration cannot support all the needs and efficient workflow of a fully functional Automotive Technology Lab without expansion.

By repurposing an existing facility, UNM-Valencia can create a specialized workforce training center while making efficient use of existing campus resources. The new center will provide Automotive Technology and Welding students with dedicated classrooms, laboratories, and simulation environments designed around the type of hands-on training they will encounter in the workplace.

The project will allow UNM-Valencia to expand technical education and respond to growing interest from employers and industry partners seeking a skilled workforce. Increased instructional capacity will create more opportunities for students to pursue technical certificates and degrees while strengthening pathways from the classroom to employment.

For students, the center will provide access to practical, career-focused education and training close to home. For employers and the surrounding community, it will help build a stronger pipeline of workers prepared with relevant, industry-aligned skills.

By investing in the Automotive and Welding Technology Center, GO Bond 3 will help UNM-Valencia prepare more students for skilled-trade careers, support local employers, and strengthen the workforce and economy of Valencia County and the surrounding region.

Over the years, GO Bond projects have benefitted UNM-Valencia and all of UNM's branch campuses. For example, in November 2024, the GO Bond passed in the general election in Valencia County. The primary improvement projects included funding for UNM-Valencia Allied Health and the Nursing program renovations. Current architect's drawings have helped shape the plan for what the construction renovation will encompass. Construction for upgrading the UNM-Valencia Allied Health and Nursing classroom labs is scheduled for the second part of 2026.

The renovation and upgrades include a new lecture hall, as well as classrooms with simulated labs and hospital beds for clinical simulation instruction. Passing the GO Bond 3 ensured funding so students in this career pathway have the tools and resources they need to succeed. Expansion in these education categories is crucial and in high demand, and UNM-Valencia is excited to make these improvements to accommodate increased space and increased student cohorts.

For more information about this project, visit the Automotive and Welding Technology Center. For more information about GO Bond 3, visit higheredbond3.com.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.