The Bridge of Southern New Mexico, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, is literally building bridges inside and outside Doña Ana County, New Mexico, that connect educational success for students with building a stronger future workforce for the future and the ultimate goal of long-term economic development.
Uniting the county’s leaders in business, education, economic development, and government, The Bridge was the catalyst that sparked Dona Ana County’s skyrocketing high school graduation rates (from 49% in 2007 to nearly 80% today) and contributed to the steady increase in population with two-year college degrees or higher.
The Bridge has become a state-recognized champion for dual credit courses, early college high schools, and the economic benefits of Career and Technical Education, career certifications, and two-year college degrees, in addition to four-year degrees and higher.
Today, The Bridge and its mission-related Workforce Talent Collaborative are implementing the state’s first-ever workforce talent development plan aligned to economic development targets. The plan establishes connected workforce talent education and training pathways for a holistic workforce in eight key industries in the county. To learn more about this unprecedented effort, click here. Additionally, the groups have launched a one-stop communication resource to connect students, parents, teachers, and businesses to the information they need to get ready for jobs in these industries.