New Mexico is among the first eight states to become an official partner of Be Pro Be Proud (BPBP), a national workforce development movement that seeks to attract students and young adults to technical careers, according to the BPBP website.

Schools from Albuquerque to Roswell are slated to participate this spring in BPBP mobile tours customized to professions and companies that are most relevant to local youth and local industry needs. (See event list below) The events provide virtual reality simulation experiences of jobs in 16 industries, then connect participants to post-secondary opportunities and careers. Example professions include automation and robotics, carpentry, commercial truck driving, electrical and plumbing, fiber optics, HVAC tech, health care, welding, computer programming, lineman work, and machinery.

Begun in Little Rock, Ark., other state partners are Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, with more states anticipated. The partnerships operate much like a franchise model. States are provided with implementation guidance, brand identity, and a network of operational partners, with the opportunity to tailor the Be Pro Be Proud approach to their unique needs.

“Be Pro Be Proud is leading the movement to bring a new generation of pride, progress and professionals to America’s skilled workforce,” its mission reads.

According to BPBP, more than 23 percent of skilled professionals are at or near retirement age, but the talent pipeline to fill those positions is nowhere close to full.

BPBP aims to strengthen the pipeline by allowing young people to virtually experience jobs like operating heavy machinery, driving a semi-truck, or performing electrical work, all while learning about the responsibilities, skills required, and potential earnings for each profession.

Note that school events are for registered participants at the schools, not the general public. Attendees must be 13 years or older. No prior skills are required. Scheduled New Mexico stops are:

March 5, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and March 6, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Lovington High School, Lovington

March 7, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: New Mexico Youth Challenge Academy, Roswell

March 11, time TBD as of deadline: ACC Career Exploration at Wilson Middle School, Albuquerque  

March 13, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: Santa Rosa High School, Santa Rosa  

March 18, 9 a.m.-noon: Dora High School, Portales  

March 19, 9 a.m.-noon: Elida High School, Portales  

March 20, 9 a.m.-noon: Floyd High School, Portales  

March 18-21, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Portales High School, Portales  

March 25, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: East Mountain High School, Sandia Park  

March 28, time TBD as of deadline: Skills USA State Leadership Conference, Central New Mexico Community College, Albuquerque  

April 8-9, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: Cuba High School, Cuba  

April 10, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: Community Economic Self Sufficiency Career Expo, Albuquerque

Visit http://nm.beprobeproud.org for more information, or call 508-6390.