Education Secretary, Governor Spotlight Workforce Training at CSN
Workforce training took center stage at CSN on Oct. 21 as U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo visited the North Las Vegas Campus to discuss the growing importance of career-focused education.
The visit, held in CSN’s automotive bay, brought national and state attention to the role community colleges play in preparing students for in-demand careers and strengthening Nevada’s workforce.
The program featured remarks from McMahon, Lombardo and Clarissa Cota, CSN’s vice president of external relations and campus operations, along with a campus tour.
For McMahon, the message was clear: A successful career doesn’t have to begin with a four-year degree.
“What we need is more choice. More flexibility, more pathways to post secondary success,” McMahon said.
She highlighted apprenticeships, community colleges and hands-on training as valuable pathways to employment, while acknowledging that four-year and advanced degrees remain essential for many professions.
“Every honest calling carries dignity, and every person can contribute to the strength of our nation,” she said.
Lombardo brought the conversation closer to home, pointing to CSN programs in automotive technology, welding, heating and air conditioning, and construction management as examples of training that helps meet Nevada’s workforce needs.
“Unfortunately, as a community, as a country, we lost sight of those trades that are necessary for a successful career,” Lombardo said.
He also discussed the importance of connecting education with economic development, including the work of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation to help colleges respond to employers’ hiring and training needs.
McMahon highlighted Workforce Pell, an initiative designed to expand federal Pell Grant eligibility to qualifying short-term workforce training programs, potentially opening more doors for students seeking career-focused credentials.
While the discussion centered on national and statewide workforce priorities, the setting brought the message home to Southern Nevada.
From automotive bays to welding labs and classrooms across CSN, students are developing the skills that help prepare them for careers and support the industries that keep Nevada moving.
