LANL, SFCC partner on Machining Engineering Technologies training, expand job opportunities

Lead SFCC Machining Engineering Technologies faculty member Miguel Maestas shown in the Machining and Tooling Lab.

Los Alamos National Laboratory and Santa Fe Community College have entered into a partnership to provide local students education and training for in-demand, well-paid jobs through SFCC’s Machining Engineering Technologies certificate.

Congressman Ben Ray Luján, New Mexico Higher Education Deputy Secretary Carmen Lopez, Director of LANL Thom Mason, Ph.D., and SFCC President Becky Rowley, Ph.D., announced the collaboration in an online press conference April 16.

LANL has seen a steady increase in the need for machinists over the last six years and anticipates that job opportunities in the machining engineering field will continue to expand, at LANL and throughout the region. SFCC faculty and staff worked with LANL professionals to develop a current and relevant curriculum that meets employer needs.

The college will start recruiting students for the certificate degree this summer, especially high school students in trades programs. This fall, students will attend classes Monday through Thursday and then participate in a hands-on internship on Fridays at LANL. In summer 2021, students will be in LANL’s internship program and complete the certificate that fall. Those who go on to work at LANL have the potential to earn a starting salary between $56,000 to $66,500, based on their education and experience.  

SFCC President Rowley said, “The college is very excited to move forward with this collaboration with LANL. We’re glad to respond to the growing demand at LANL for skilled machinists. This program will offer SFCC students a path to good jobs in the region.” 

“The Laboratory is pleased to work with partners like SFCC to build a regional workforce that benefits both Northern New Mexico and the Laboratory,” said Los Alamos National Laboratory Director Thom Mason, Ph.D. “Bringing good-paying, technical job opportunities to our local area is one of the ways that we support our communities.” 

“This is a hands-on STEM program,” noted Associate Dean of Science, Health, Engineering and Math Colleen Lynch, “It would be a good fit for students who like to solve practical problems, are both creative and precise, like using tools and computers, and who like to understand how things work.” 

Interested students should contact Machining Engineering Technologies Instructor Miguel Maestas or Associate Dean Colleen Lynch. Read more.