Workforce Development

Out-of-School Time (OST) can play a critical role in preparing children and youth for their future careers by helping them to build foundational skills like communication, teamwork, and critical thinking. OST can also play a role in giving students the opportunity to learn about and experience aspects of career options they may not have exposure to in their daily lives. For older youth, OST can help to build specific skills that align with career interests and may be a bridge to a apprenticeship or internship to provide real-life experience with work-life goals.

NMOST values

Research

This section provides links to research and program information pertaining to OST and workforce development, as well as link to information about internships and other opportunities, and the dual credit programs at New Mexico’s universities and colleges.

Afterschool Alliance Issue Brief

Afterschool and summer learning programs are helping to close the gaps that exist between the skills and competencies students possess and the needs of employers—which range from communication and problem-solving skills to proficient technical skills.

Perkins Collaborative Resource Network (PCRN)

Successful careers are built on solid personal and interpersonal skills. Defining, measuring, and building these skills— even naming them— can be challenging. In an effort to leverage and connect the efforts of policy makers, educators, and employers, the U.S. Department of Education compiled the Employability Skills Framework and developed related tools, media and resources.

Casel Competencies information

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is at the core of building competencies for life and for careers.

The Riley Institute

The question of America’s future economic health remains a top national concern, and developing tomorrow’s workforce is a key part of that discussion. Afterschool experts have begun to ask how the field of afterschool and expanded learning contributes to the development of these workforce readiness skills.

NMOST supports

Dual Credit Programs

High school students have a unique opportunity to take tuition-free classes at one of the many colleges and universities around the state and receive credit both toward high school graduation and toward a postsecondary degree or certificate. Whether classes are used to get a jump on a degree, or to begin training for a career in areas like renewable energy, healthcare, criminal justice, dental hygiene or automotive technology, dual credit programs can give our older youth a jump start on life after high school.

The DC Program

Every New Mexico high school student has the opportunity to enroll in college courses through the Dual Credit (DC) Program. The DC Program provides access to academic and career and technical education (CTE) courses that deliver simultaneous credit toward high school graduation and a postsecondary degree or certificate. College courses are offered for dual credit based upon agreements between high schools and accredited public colleges. Dual credit courses are accessible to students with a range of academic and career aptitudes. Research studies on dual credit participation have shown that dual credit enrollment contributes to improved academic performance. Students who take dual credit courses perform well in their courses, graduate from high school at a higher rate than their peers, require less first-semester remediation in college, and are more likely to obtain a college degree within four years.

Dual Credit Opportunities

Below shows the links to the dual credit information at the various colleges and universities in the state.