Wall Colmonoy Launches Furnace Apprenticeship Program in New Mexico

Wall Colmonoy has launched a new Furnace Apprenticeship Program at its Los Lunas facility to train the next generation of skilled furnace operators. This three-year, state-funded program combines hands-on experience with classroom instruction and is supported by the University of New Mexico-Valencia, Americas Job Center Los Lunas, and the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.

The initiative addresses the need for specialized furnace operators by offering structured training across all key areas of furnace operations: Charge Making, Processing, Ladle Room, and the Melt Deck.

Participants start with a rotating schedule, spending three weeks on the job and one week in the classroom at the UNM-Valencia Workforce Training Center. After the first year, apprentices transition to full-time roles while continuing to develop skills on-site. Apprentices receive wages throughout the program and benefit from tuition assistance and wage reimbursement.

“This program puts the company’s future workforce in its own hands,” said Angelica Ordonez, Human Resources Manager at Wall Colmonoy. “We’re training people the way we want them to work—hands-on, dependable, and ready to grow.”

The first cohort includes four apprentices: Aaron Martinez, Chris Cox, Adrian Fisher, and Augustine Garcia. Each brings a distinct motivation to the program.

Martinez, the first to complete the Ladle Room rotation, emphasized the importance of understanding every part of the process: “You become a better furnace operator when you understand how everything works—and how to fix it.”

Cox noted his grandfather inspired his interest in hands-on work and said he values the team culture. Fisher mentioned his enthusiasm for the work environment, adding, “As a bonus—I get to play with fire every day, in a safe way!”

Garcia called the opportunity life-changing, saying, “There’s a real sense of accomplishment in knowing you made something.”

Wall Colmonoy’s Los Lunas apprenticeship program reflects a broader effort to strengthen the skilled workforce in the industrial manufacturing sector. By combining education with practical experience, the company aims to ensure a pipeline of talent ready to meet operational demands.