On August 12, 2026, during its regular meeting, the Las Vegas City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with West Las Vegas High School to support and expand the school’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program.

The partnership is designed to provide students with hands-on learning experiences that develop the knowledge and skills needed for careers in commercial driving, transportation and logistics. Through the collaboration, students will have opportunities to strengthen technical skills, gain workplace experience and increase career awareness while preparing for CDL training and future employment, including potential career opportunities with the City of Las Vegas.

The agreement builds on a successful partnership between the City and West Las Vegas Schools that began last year through the school’s automotive mechanics program. Jimmy Saiz, City Program, Project and Outreach Liaison, and City Fleet Manager James Stephens have worked with students to provide hands-on experience performing basic mechanical repairs and maintenance on City vehicles.

Saiz said the City has worked with Phillip Ulibarri, Vocational Education Instructor for West Las Vegas High School, for approximately a year on this initiative. Building on the success of the automotive program, Ulibarri approached the City about expanding the collaboration to include the CDL program. The new MOU provides a framework to strengthen those efforts and create greater connections between classroom instruction, hands-on training and future careers.

“Our goal is to provide students with more career opportunities here in Las Vegas, give them more reasons to stay local and provide them with the tools and experience they need to advance,” Saiz said.

West Las Vegas Schools Superintendent Christopher Gutierrez shared that the CDL program is now in its fifth year. The program was initially developed in response to a growing shortage of qualified commercial drivers, including school bus drivers and operators of commercial and heavy equipment vehicles. At the time the program was developed, school officials found that the average age of a bus driver was approximately 77 years old, underscoring the need to prepare a new generation of qualified drivers.

Gutierrez also emphasized how important skilled trades have become for today’s students and workforce. Programs such as CDL, automotive technology and welding provide students with practical skills, valuable credentials and direct pathways into high-demand careers. He noted that career and technical education programs have continued to grow and thrive at West Las Vegas High School as more students recognize that success after graduation can take many different paths.

West Las Vegas High School Principal Carla Pacheco also highlighted the growing popularity and success of career and technical education programs among students who may be seeking alternatives to a traditional four-year college pathway.

“The CDL program has become very popular with students who may not necessarily be interested in attending a four-year college,” Pacheco said. “Programs in automotive technology, welding and CDL training provide students with opportunities to earn valuable certifications and develop skills that can help them enter the workforce or even start their own businesses at a young age. I think the success rate of these programs speaks for itself.”

For the 2026-2027 school year, the CDL program currently includes nine seniors and one junior, providing 10 students with the opportunity to begin developing valuable skills and credentials before graduating from high school.

The need for qualified drivers continues as communities throughout the region face shortages in commercial driving and other skilled trades. West Las Vegas Schools has continued expanding its career and technical education opportunities, giving students additional options to prepare for the workforce while still in high school.

Several West Las Vegas High School students attended the City Council meeting and shared their perspectives on what the CDL program could mean for their futures. Students spoke about opportunities to work locally, throughout New Mexico and out of state. They also discussed how earning a CDL could provide financial stability, help pay for college and other expenses, and offer an additional career pathway as they plan for life after high school.

Mayor David Romero said programs like these provide students with opportunities that were not always readily available to previous generations and allow young people to begin developing career skills and planning their futures while still in high school. “These hands-on opportunities give our students another pathway to success,” Mayor Romero said. “Not every student will choose the same path after graduation, and partnerships like this give them the skills, experience and confidence to decide where they want to go.”

Councilor Benito Pacheco also emphasized the long-term value of earning career credentials and developing practical skills. “Any credential you can get in life can help get you ahead,” Councilor Pacheco said. “It is something you can carry with you and use to create opportunities for yourself. This is a great opportunity for our students and our community.”

The City of Las Vegas and West Las Vegas Schools hope to continue building partnerships that connect students with real-world job training, career exploration and employment opportunities. By providing students with hands-on experience and recognized credentials, these programs can help young people build successful careers while also strengthening the local workforce.

The CDL program and other career and technical education opportunities can open doors to employment in Las Vegas, throughout New Mexico and beyond. The City also hopes to expand similar partnerships with other school districts and continue building networks that create additional opportunities for students throughout the region.