Inaugural Trades Culture Bootcamp: June 2025
A Hands-On Trades Experience in the Colorado Mountains
In June 2025, Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) proudly sent four standout students from its Electrical Technology program to participate in the very first Trades Culture Bootcamp, hosted at Western Colorado University (WCU) in Gunnison, Colorado. Luka Torrez, George Lopez, Mario Perez, and Edwardo Martinez spent an intensive week building a solar-powered gazebo, blending classroom knowledge with real-world construction challenges.
Building More Than Just a Structure
The gazebo—designed to offer WCU students an outdoor classroom illuminated by solar power—was completed in an impressive four days. Joe Padilla, Chair of NNMC’s Technical Trades Department, praised the students, saying, “The timber framers and the people they were working with were really impressed with our students, both their intelligence and their work ethic.”
Funding, planning, and logistical support were spearheaded by Ralph E. (“Butch”) Clark III—a long-time donor to NNMC’s Technical Trades Department—and his attorney, William Edwards. Their vision, alongside collaborators from NNMC, WCU, Hearth Design Build, and Nunatek Energy (a local solar company), brought the bootcamp to life. The gazebo now stands on Clark’s property before being donated to WCU, symbolizing the power of community-driven trades education.
A Curriculum Built Around Learning by Doing
Each bootcamp day began with theory and moved into hands-on application:
Morning Sessions: Students learned techniques ranging from timber framing fundamentals to solar panel selection and electrical code application.
Afternoon Implementation: They used those skills directly in constructing the gazebo—cutting timber, installing a corrugated tin roof, wiring solar panels, and setting up electrical infrastructure.
Luka Torrez reflected on the experience: “We were guided by the professionals. They would tell us what to do and they would show us how to do it... We got to learn what they were doing and why they were doing it that certain way.”
Workshop participants also designed and fabricated decorative plaques—one reading “Trades Culture Bootcamp”, another featuring a hammer-and-wrench motif with radiating roots—using plasma cutters and CNC machines at the Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science and Engineering.
Real-World Lessons in Grit and Craftsmanship
Beyond technical skills, students practiced safety protocols on an actual job site—harnessing up, navigating rain-soaked conditions, and working long hours while learning the physical endurance the trades demand. Padilla emphasized, “Being a good tradesperson… doing top-notch work is something we instill in our students, because their name’s attached to whatever they’re working on.”
Romero, the Electrical Instructor, noted how the project brought textbook knowledge to life. “It’s one thing for it to be on paper as a plan, but it’s a different matter when you’re actually dealing with the stuff.”
Celebrating Achievement—And the Journey Forward
To wrap up the bootcamp, students enjoyed a whitewater rafting trip and a barbecue in their completed gazebo. Certificates of Completion were awarded, and students personally thanked Clark. WCU President Brad Baca was on hand to celebrate the accomplishment.
Why Trades Culture Matters
This bootcamp exemplifies the mission of Trades Culture: elevating hands-on trades education through collaboration, mentorship, and experiential learning. By blending classroom knowledge with real-world application—and supported by thoughtful community partnerships—this program charted a promising new pathway for future trades initiatives in the region.
Reference: Northern New Mexico College Newsroom, “Western Colorado University Hosts NNMC Students for a Trades Culture Bootcamp,” by Arin McKenna (July 31, 2025) See original HERE.
