May is Military Appreciation Month – NextFlex Collaborates with Central New Mexico Community College on Military Spouse ProFIT Training

As a DoD sponsored Manufacturing Innovation Institute, NextFlex is proud to mature technologies that will enable the warfighter. While we are certainly grateful for the service provided to us by those who wear the uniform, NextFlex is also proud to shine a spotlight on those who support those who serve – military spouses. The DoD reports that nearly half of the 1.3 million active-duty members are married, meaning that there are over 650,000 military spouses. Ninety percent of these military spouses are female and unfortunately, 21% are unemployed.  

At NextFlex, we are committed to talent development at all levels, from K-12 STEM engagement through to post-doctoral research. To address the unconscionable unemployment rate of military spouses, NextFlex is collaborating with Central New Mexico Community College on a new program, Military Spouse ProFIT Training. This program will provide skills-based training and employment support to military spouses. CNM is a minority serving institution located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and is proximally located near Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB). This proximity as well as their existing Internet of Things & Rapid Prototyping bootcamp makes them strategically and uniquely positioned to enable this project.

“As a military spouse and recent graduate of the CNM Rapid Prototyping and Internet of Things Bootcamp, I am excited to see this project kickoff and benefit not just the military spouses who participate but also their families and the greater military community. Emerging technology and advanced manufacturing are growing fields with myriad jobs and opportunities that will benefit from the tenacity, grit, and creativity that military spouses bring to the table. Working with CNM ensures that we have the best education and community support to build a robust network for the military spouse participants.”  – Courtney Power, NextFlex EWD Deputy Director

Acknowledgement

This material is based on research sponsored by Air Force Research Laboratory under agreement number FA8650-20-2-5506, as conducted through the flexible hybrid electronics manufacturing innovation institute, NextFlex. The U.S. Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Governmental purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation thereon.

The views and conclusions contained herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies or endorsements, either expressed or implied, of Air Force Research Laboratory or the U.S. Government.