Join thought leaders to unpack the Future of Work, ideate solutions to K - 12, higher education and workforce training problems, then join a journey of innovation by attending the New Collar Workforce Summit!
Thursday December 11, 2025
8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Santa Fe Higher Education Center
Santa Fe NM
Hosted by Santa Fe Community College
Department of Continuing Education & Contract Training
Produced by the New Collar Network
The New Collar Workforce Summit Features Fun,
Interactive Ideation Labs Generating Strategies &
Collaborations for Winning in the Future of Work
Many “blue collar” jobs across a wide range of industries have become digital “New Collar” jobs that demand 21st century skills. Disruptive technologies like AI, robotics, CAD design, AR/VR, and 3D Printing are changing the very nature of work. And today’s workers are demanding affordable pathways to good, engaging jobs.
The question then is:
“how do we prepare current and future workers
for this new work reality?”
It starts with
- A workplace that sparks creativity & design thinking
- 21st century tools like 3D Printers for innovators to bring their new ideas to life
- Hands-on, project-based training like registered apprenticeships to jumpstart anyone who didn’t even know they have digital talent
- Preparing for the jobs in new industries that are imminent like quantum and space technologies
At the summit you can join thought leaders in the Future of Work, employers from a wide range of industries, federal, state and local policy makers, innovative educators, and alternative education providers, as we reimagine and enable lifelong learning opportunities to create opportunities for workers in our communities.
Schedule Overview
Thursday December 11, 2025:
Breakfast New Mexican Style
Thought-leaders Setting the Stage
for Afternoon Ideation Sessions via
Fireside Chats and Group Discussions on
- Innovative Workforce Training Programs
- Employer stakeholder contribution examples from Volkswagon & Chevron
- Creating K – 12 experiences that prepare students for in-demand jobs or college
- Policy needed to accelerate change in Higher Education & Workforce Training
- Workforce hiring practices that are inclusive by providing alternatives for
challenges in today’s society - New industries like Quantum and AI that are poised for hiring
- Entrepreneurship
Thought-leaders Leading the Discussion
Sherry Lassiter, The Fab Foundation & MIT Center for Bits & Atoms
Scott Groginsky, Deputy Cabinet Secretary, NM Dept. of Workforce Solutions,
Apprenticeships
Kris Swedin, Dean, SFCC Dept. of Continuing Education and Contract Training
Quantum Panel
Chase Kimball, Roadrunner Venture Studios, Quantum Lead
Jake Douglass, Quantum Business Devlopment Specialist,
Sandia National Lab
Zachary Vernon, Director of Photonics, Quantinuum
AI Panel
John Hernandez, CEO, Dash2Labs
David Montoya, CIO, NM AI Consortium
Aerospace Panel
Cathy Chen-Arriaga, Executive Director, Tech Frontiers, El Paso, Texas
NASA STEM award winner
Debra Wilcox, Creating Manufacturing, Denver CO
Advanced Manufacturing Panel
Zaqueriah Pacheco, Production Manager, Roadrunner 3D [Westwind]
TBA
Lunch/Networking/Tech Demos
Ideation Sessions around Group Questions
Creating working groups
2021 Summit Organizers
Sponsorship Opportunities
To find out how your organization can be one of our summit sponsors, please email our team or check out our Sponsor Page!
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