The skilled trades shortage isn’t new, but it’s becoming harder to ignore. This June, Business Insider provided the latest set of numbers: Almost 600,000 new workers are needed each year, but only about 26,000 are entering the field. Here on the Western Slope, the demand for carpenters, welders, mechanics and other skilled professionals continues to grow, yet local employers, alongside entities like USC Labor Solutions in Grand Junction, report ongoing struggles to fill essential roles in construction, manufacturing, repair and maintenance. Pressure is also increasing in the automotive sector, with Bureau of Labor Statistics estimating the U.S. needs more than 67,000 new automotive technicians annually — far more than the current pipeline can provide. 

While you may be experiencing delays in having your vehicle serviced, and while the larger problems will not be solved overnight, I offer a glimpse into a hopeful future. Amidst the concerning numbers mentioned, here at Colorado Mountain College Rifle, enrollment in our welding classes has held strong for decades. Our new automotive service technology program, launched in 2021, and carpentry program, launched in 2023, are seeing waitlists. Class standards are high as our faculty embrace their motto: “Job Ready Day One.” 

We are proud to be a part of the solution.  

Beyond the benefits to our local economy, workforce and communities, I’d like to reflect for a moment on what an education at CMC means for our students and graduates. 

I am honored to share a bit of Mario’s story. Mario’s family has been in the valley for five generations. Despite our idyllic landscapes, and even when surrounded by a strong family, life here can be hard. An early diagnosis of dyslexia created compounding difficulties for Mario, and during his junior year of high school, he dropped out. A personally dark chapter unfolded in the midst of a global pandemic. After hitting rock bottom, Mario realized the only direction to move was upward. In his words, “In the throes of that darkness, I found a flicker of determination. I realized that I had the power to reshape my future and that it was time to push forward.” 

Earning a GED marked Mario’s first goal and just five weeks after stepping onto the CMC Rifle campus, he successfully passed all four exams. His pride in this achievement sparked a passion and propelled him to become one of the first students in our automotive program. As he puts it, “I discovered my true calling and the thrill of working with the mechanics of vehicles.” 

Mario’s spark immediately caught the attention of his instructors as well as scholarship donors. He has already earned three certificates and is on track to finish his coursework completely debt free. His high performance also led to a job opportunity at Bighorn Toyota. 

Mario’s goal setting continued, as he set out to be named to the Dean’s List every semester. He achieved and then surpassed his goal this May by earning straight A’s and securing a place on the President’s List. 

“I am committed to absorbing all I can about automotive technology,” Mario shared, “And I am proud that my education symbolizes the triumph of perseverance over adversity.” 

Mario’s family is filled with pride, and so are we. It is an honor and privilege to witness, challenge, support and cheer for our students as they grow, pursue their dreams, and contribute to our communities. 

Mario’s journey is just beginning — and so is CMC’s role in meeting the growing demand for skilled trades across our region. As the need continues to rise, so will our programs, our partnerships and our commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers. We invite you to follow our growth and celebrate the stories that emerge — not just as an investment in education, but as a commitment to the dreams of our neighbors, the strength of our workforce and the resilience of our region and the people who reside here.

Tinker Duclo is the vice president and campus dean of Colorado Mountain College’s Rifle campus.