(Wall Colmonoy: Los Lunas, NM) -- Wall Colmonoy is building the next generation of skilled furnace workers by launching a three-year furnace apprenticeship program at its Los Lunas, New Mexico, facility. In partnership with the University of New Mexico-Valencia, Americas Job Center Los Lunas, and the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, this state-funded apprenticeship program is designed to train and develop skilled furnace operators through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience.

“People know we’re here, but they don’t really know what we do,” says Angelica Ordonez, human resources manager at Wall Colmonoy. “It’s a unique environment—a foundry where we melt metal. When we saw the need to recruit more furnace operators, we partnered with New Mexico Workforce Solutions and UNM-Valencia to build a pipeline of skilled talent.” 

Apprentices begin with a rotating schedule during the first year, spending three weeks on the job followed by one week of classroom learning at the UNM-Valencia Workforce Training Center. After the first year, apprentices transition into full-time work, continuing their development across four key areas of furnace operations: charge making, processing, ladle room, and the melt deck. 

Apprentices are paid throughout the program and supported with resources such as tuition assistance and wage reimbursement.

“This program puts the company’s future workforce in its own hands,” says Ordonez. “We’re training people the way we want them to work—hands-on, dependable, and ready to grow.”

Starting this program at Wall Colmonoy Los Lunas are four individuals: Aaron Martinez, Chris Cox, Adrian Fisher, and Augustine Garcia.  Each apprentice brings a unique perspective and motivation to the program.

Martinez, the first to complete the ladle room rotation, says, “I never want to be stuck in one place. I want to keep moving forward. You become a better furnace operator when you understand how everything works and how to fix it. I ask a lot of questions, and they always help.”

Cox credits his grandfather for inspiring him to work with his hands. “I really like what I’m learning and what I do. It’s a tight-knit group here. People respect each other. I don’t want to let them down.”

“I really like what I’m learning and what I do,” Fisher says. “And a bonus is I get to play with fire every day, in a safe way!”

Garcia says the opportunity has been life-changing. “This was the only place that opened their arms to me. I enjoy what I do and I’m always looking to move up. There’s a real sense of accomplishment in knowing you made something.”