Building the Workforce of Tomorrow: How Partnership is Powering Opportunity in New Mexico

Across New Mexico, a new kind of workforce pathway is taking shape - one that connects local communities to long-term careers in clean energy.

That work is being driven in large part by a growing partnership between Pattern Energy and the Clean Power Institute (CPI), a national nonprofit focused on clean energy workforce development. As Pattern's presence in New Mexico has expanded, so has the opportunity to invest more deeply in the people and communities connected to that work, creating the conditions for a partnership like this to take shape.

Through that collaboration, a pilot micro-credential program for entry-level wind technicians is now in progress, designed to create more accessible, direct pathways into careers that are already reshaping the state's energy landscape.

"This is about building an enduring workforce pipeline," says Sam Ramsey, Director of Programs at CPI. "We're thinking about how to connect people on the ground, especially in rural communities, to real opportunities in clean energy."

From National Vision to Local Impact

CPI, an affiliate of the American Clean Power Association, was created to translate national clean energy priorities into tangible, local economic and workforce solutions. That means working directly with the people and communities where projects are being built, and where long-term jobs are being created.

In New Mexico, that work has taken shape through close collaboration with Pattern, whose scale of investment and on-the-ground presence made the state a clear place to focus.

With the SunZia Wind project representing one of the largest wind developments in the country, the opportunity wasn't just about building infrastructure. It was about building a workforce that could sustain it.

"New Mexico offers something unique," says Abby Huston, Vice President of Programs at CPI. "These are long-term, stable jobs that allow people to stay in their communities, close to their families, rather than traveling across regions for work."

That distinction matters. In many parts of the country, wind technicians move frequently between sites, leading to higher turnover and less stability. In New Mexico, the scale and permanence of projects like SunZia create the potential for something different: a locally rooted workforce.

A New Approach to Workforce Training

At the center of this partnership is a micro-credential program designed to meet people where they are.

Unlike traditional degree programs, which can require significant time and financial investment, this model focuses on short-term, skills-based training that can prepare participants for entry-level wind technician roles in a matter of weeks. The program is being developed in collaboration with community colleges and high schools across the state and is designed to align directly with industry needs.

Participants gain exposure to core technical skills, industry-recognized certifications, and real-world expectations of the job, creating a clearer, faster path from training to employment.

"This is about accessibility," Ramsey explains. "We're creating opportunities for people who may not have the time or resources to pursue a two-year or four-year degree, but who are ready to step into a career."

Reaching Rural Communities

A key part of the effort is expanding awareness, particularly among young people in rural areas who may not yet see clean energy as a viable career path.

Through education modules and outreach in schools, CPI and Pattern are working to introduce students to the possibilities within the wind energy sector, while also building connections to local training opportunities.

For communities that have historically had limited access to career pathways in emerging industries, this kind of early exposure can be transformative.

"In rural parts of New Mexico, a job like this can change the trajectory of a family," Huston says. "It can create stability, opportunity, and a pathway out of generational poverty."

A True Partnership

What makes this effort stand out is the depth and practicality of the partnership behind it.

While CPI brings national expertise in workforce development, Pattern Energy serves as the local, embedded partner connecting the work directly to communities, schools, and real job opportunities across New Mexico.

From the start, Pattern has been deeply involved in shaping the program alongside CPI. That includes helping identify school districts and community college partners, providing input on curriculum, and working through the real-world challenges that come with launching a program like this.

As conversations with colleges have unfolded, one thing has been clear: access matters - not just to training, but to the resources that make training possible.

"Whether it's instructors, equipment, or other supports, we're hearing directly from colleges about what they need," Huston says. "And Pattern has been right there with us, helping think through how to meet those needs."

In some cases, that means investing directly, supporting access to instructors or equipment needed to stand up these programs, and ensuring students are learning on the tools and systems used in the field.

Beyond infrastructure, Pattern is also helping bridge the gap between classroom and career. Through mentorship, guest presentations, and career preparation support, Pattern's team of technicians is connecting directly with students, offering insight into the day-to-day realities of the work and helping prepare them for what comes next.

"It's truly been a shoulder-to-shoulder partnership," Ramsey says. "We're learning together, problem-solving together, and making sure this program reflects both industry needs and community realities."

Looking Ahead

As the micro-credential pilot continues to take shape, the long-term vision is clear: build a model that can grow New Mexico's clean energy workforce pipeline.

CPI is tracking outcomes over time, looking not just at program completion, but at what happens next. Are participants getting hired? Are they advancing in their careers? What does long-term impact look like?

Those insights will help inform how this model could be expanded to other communities and states.

For now, the focus remains on New Mexico and on what's possible when organizations align around a shared goal.

"This is about more than one program," Huston says. "It's about creating a system that works for communities, for workers, and for the future of clean energy."